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GCC and China Advance Free Trade Agreement Negotiations at Doha Investment Forum

GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi and China's Vice Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang met on October 25, 2026, in Doha. The officials assessed progress by technical working groups negotiating the GCC-China Free Trade Agreement. Both sides stressed overcoming remaining trade obstacles to accelerate the formal signing of the deal.

Issuing authority
Gulf Cooperation Council, Ministry of Commerce of China
Jurisdiction
Middle East
Publication date
October 25, 2026
Stage
Draft / consultation
Official document
GCC-China Free Trade Agreement
Official source
uecn.org
Illustration: A modern international conference room with large glass windows overlooking a coastal city skyline, delegates in business suits seated a
Illustration

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi met with China's Vice Minister of Commerce and International Trade Representative Li Chenggang on October 25, 2026, in Doha, according to the UAE-China Chamber of Commerce (UECN).

The bilateral discussions were held on the sidelines of the 9th World Investment Forum to examine trade and economic relations between China and the Gulf states.

Both officials evaluated progress made by technical working groups engaged in negotiations for the GCC-China Free Trade Agreement. The sides underscored the necessity of overcoming remaining trade obstacles to accelerate the formal signing of the deal.

Once implemented, the bilateral free trade pact aims to substantially expand trade and cross-border investment flows between China and GCC economies, including the United Arab Emirates.

Sources

The UECN Brief

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