Logistics UK: Gulf trade deal will boost confidence and business opportunities

Thursday 21 May 2026

The announcement of a trade deal between the UK government and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) will boost confidence and create real momentum for UK businesses trading internationally according to business group Logistics UK. Chief Executive Ben Fletcher said,

“The UK grows when it trades, and this agreement is a positive step towards unlocking more trade-led growth.

“By lowering tariffs and speeding up customs processes, the GCC agreement should help drive trade between the UK and one of the world’s fastest-growing regions. In addition to new export opportunities, the agreement will also improve the competitiveness of UK businesses by enabling them to import goods more cheaply from GCC member states.

“It is UK logistics operators who will be the ones facilitating the movement of both exports and imports, and will be critical in the trade agreement delivering its estimated £3.7 billion a year boost to the UK economy.”

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk