Trade blocs & regional agreements · Customs union · since 1981
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
6 member countries · Headquarters: Riyadh
- Members
- 6
- Combined GDP
- $2.36 trillion
- Population
- 63.4 million
- Share of world GDP
- 2.0%
About the region
The GCC – Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain – is a customs union with a common external tariff mostly at 5%. Large investment programmes (Saudi Vision 2030, UAE and Qatar infrastructure) drive strong demand for steel structures. Vietnam has been negotiating FTAs with the UAE and the GCC – check the latest status.
Member countries (6)
| Country | GDP | Population | GDP rank | FTA with Vietnam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Saudi Arabia | $1.28 trillion 2025 | 37.0 million | #19 | No |
 United Arab Emirates | $552 billion 2024 | 11.5 million | #30 | No |
 Qatar | $216 billion 2025 | 3.0 million | #56 | No |
 Kuwait | $157 billion 2025 | 4.9 million | #59 | No |
 Oman | $110 billion 2025 | 5.5 million | #71 | No |
 Bahrain | $49.0 billion 2025 | 1.6 million | #100 | No |
Combined GDP and population use each member’s latest available year (2024–2025); 6/6 members have GDP data.
Vietnam & the region
Vietnam has no FTA with any member of this bloc – Vietnamese goods pay the importing country’s MFN rates.
Opportunities for Vietnamese goods
- Steel structures for plants, logistics warehouses, stadiums, oil & gas and solar; specs usually AISC/ASTM or BS EN.
- Product conformity: SASO/SABER (Saudi Arabia), ECAS (UAE).
- Main ports: Jebel Ali (Dubai), Khalifa (Abu Dhabi), Jeddah, Dammam, Hamad (Qatar).
For reference, updated 10/2026 – check the importing country’s current rules before trading.
Vietnamese industries to source from
Vietnamese industries suited to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market – factory directory, HS codes and tariff rates.
Major seaports of the region
United Arab Emirates15.54 m TEU · Large#39Abu Zaby
United Arab Emirates5.42 m TEU · Medium#237Zirkuh
United Arab EmiratesMedium#238Duqm
OmanMedium#264Jabal Az Zannah/ruways
United Arab EmiratesMedium#268Khawr Fakkan
United Arab EmiratesMedium#274Mina Al Ahmadi
KuwaitMedium#279Ras Tannurah
Saudi ArabiaMedium#285Khalifa Bin Salman
BahrainMedium#290Ras Laffan
QatarMedium#310Mina Ash Shuaybah
KuwaitMedium#311Mina Salman
BahrainMediumBloc-wide agreements (4)
Trade agreements in force to which all current members are parties (WTO RTA database plus additional agreements).
| Agreement | Type / coverage | In force | Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFTA - GCC | FTA & EIA Goods & Services |
1 Jul 2014 |     |
| GCC - Singapore | FTA & EIA Goods & Services |
1 Sep 2013 |  |
| Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) | CU Goods |
1 Jan 2003 | |
| Pan-Arab Free Trade Area (PAFTA) | FTA Goods |
1 Jan 1998 |      +6 |
Source: WTO Regional Trade Agreements Database (retrieved 14 Oct 2026) plus additional agreements maintained by the administrator. Lists agreements notified to the WTO and in force.