UK-GCC Strategic Dialogue set for October 20 to operationalize May trade pact
Qatar's Ministry of Commerce confirmed as institutional partner as event focuses on turning agreement into trade and investment partnerships.
Government representatives, sovereign investors and corporate leaders from Britain and the Gulf will gather in London on October 20 for The Business Year's UK-GCC Strategic Dialogue, with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the State of Qatar confirmed as the latest institutional partner.
Guildhall will host the gathering, which follows the May conclusion of the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement. The focus is converting that agreement into commercial partnerships, trade flows and investment between the two regions.
Institutional partners and patronage confirmed#
Qatar's Ministry of Commerce and Industry joins a group of institutional partners that includes UK Export Finance, the City of London Corporation, Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority, TheCityUK and TechUK. The GCC Secretariat will serve as patron.
Speakers confirmed for the event include Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC; Dame Susan Langley, Lady Mayor of London; Martin Gilbert, chairman of Revolut; Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Faisal Al-Thani, CEO of Qatar Free Zones Authority; Deemah AlYahya, Secretary General of the Digital Cooperation Organization; Nasser Al Kindi, CEO of Invest Oman; Haitham Al Salmi, CEO of Muscat Stock Exchange; and Ali Khalil, CEO of Markaz. The speaker list spans government, finance, sovereign investment and technology.
Focus on bilateral investment and market access#
Carlos Martinez, CEO of The Business Year, said the event's timing creates an opportunity for both sides to build on momentum from the trade agreement. The programme will run for a full day, concentrating on bilateral investment ties, market access and cooperation opportunities, with networking sessions included.
Organisations providing support include the Kuwait Banking Association, Zain Group, Qatar Insurance Company, Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, Muscat Stock Exchange and the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones in Oman.
Agreement concluded in May 2026#
The UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement was concluded in May 2026. Martinez said the October 20 dialogue brings together governments that negotiated the pact, sovereign investors positioned to act on it, and companies that will build the resulting trade.
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- khaleejtimes.comKhaleej TimesUK-GCC Strategic Dialogue scheduled for October 20 in London, Qatar Ministry of Commerce confirmed as institutional partner, event details, speaker list and institutional partners
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