Rachel Reeves, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, is leading a top-level business delegation to Saudi Arabia in a new bid to boost UK-GCC economic ties despite ongoing human rights concerns. The high-profile trade mission includes senior executives from UK multinationals such as Barclays, GSK, HSBC, and the London Stock Exchange, aiming to strengthen economic cooperation and secure a landmark trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—which covers Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
Treasury estimates indicate that a successful deal could add approximately £1.6 billion annually to the UK economy and generate an extra £600 million in wages for UK workers over the long term. The mission is another reflection of growing British interest in the GCC’s dynamic markets and investment landscape, as international firms look for new opportunities in sectors such as finance, infrastructure, and technology.
For UAE and GCC professionals, this initiative signals a likely increase in investment inflows, cross-border partnerships, and collaboration between UK and regional companies, further cementing the Gulf’s role as a strategic global business destination.
