Australia-GCC Free Trade Agreement Negotiations

Overview

Free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council commenced on 30 July 2007 (the GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates).

The fourth round of negotiations was held from 31 May to 2 June 2009 in Muscat, Oman.

As a single market, the GCC is our ninth largest merchandise export market, worth $8 billion in 2008.

Updates

• Update 5: Fourth Round of Australia-GCC FTA Negotiations
• Update 4: Third Round of Australia-GCC FTA Negotiations
• Update 3: Second Round of Australia-GCC FTA Negotiations
• Update 2: First Round of Australia-GCC FTA Negotiations – A Positive Start
• Update 1: Preparatory Meeting 2 May 2007

Feasibility Study

• Study on the prospects and possible benefits of a free trade agreement between Australia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Submissions

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) would welcome submissions from individuals and groups on issues relevant to the negotiation of an FTA with the GCC.

Submissions need not be lengthy, and may build on or refer to submissions made for the study on the possible benefits of an FTA between Australia and the GCC.  Authors of submissions should advise whether they authorise for their name and/or the text of their submission to be posted on the DFAT website.

• General guidance on preparing submissions

Submissions may be lodged electronically to gccfta@dfat.gov.au or by post to the following address:

GCC FTA Team
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
RG Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
Barton   ACT   0221

Additional Information

• More than Oil: Economic Developments in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates

Doing Business in the GCC Region

• Business guides to the Arab Gulf

For more information on doing business in the GCC region and about specific export opportunities, go to the Austrade website. As well as country-specific information, the Austrade website also has a database that can be searched by industry.

Contact Us

GCC FTA Team
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
RG Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
Barton   ACT   0221

Email: gccfta@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +61 2 6261 2545 or +61 2 6261 3678