The government has begun arrangements to resume negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) -- a group of six Persian Gulf countries -- by the end of 2024, according to government sources.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to reach an agreement Sunday with GCC Secretary General Jasem Al-Budaiwi as part of his visit to Saudi Arabia, the sources said.
The GCC, which is headquartered in Saudi Arabia, comprises Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait.
