Free Trade Agreement between Japan
and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
(JGFTA)
(Chronology and Overview)
1. Joint Statement to launch negotiations on JGFTA
On 6 April 2006, in the Joint Statement announced between His Excellency Mr. Junichiro, Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan and the His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both sides welcomed the decision to launch formal negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) covering trade in goods and services between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprising six countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) and to hold a preparatory meeting. Japan formally announced the launching of the negotiations with the GCC.
2. Preliminary meeting for JGFTA from 20 to 21 May 2006
Japan and the GCC held the Preliminary Meeting for JGFTA in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Both sides adopted the Framework of the Negotiations.
3. The first meeting of JGFTA from 21 to 22 September 2006
The first meeting of JGFTA of Chief Delegate-Level was held in Tokyo. Negotiations were conducted on areas, including trade in goods, trade in services, customs procedures and the request and offers on trade in goods and services from both sides were discussed.
4. The first inter-sessional meeting from 18 to 19 December 2006
The first inter-sessional meeting of the Working-Level was held in Riyadh. Negotiations on trade in goods and services were held.
5. The second round of the negotiations for JGFTA from 21 to 22 January, 2007
The second round of the negotiations for JGFTA by Chief Delegates was held in Riyadh. A broad array of exchange of views and consultations on such areas as trade in goods and services, rules of origin, customs procedures were held with a view to reaching an early conclusion of the negotiations.
6. The second round of inter-sessional meeting from 9 to 11 December 2007
The second round of inter-sessional meeting of the Working-Level was held in Riyadh. A broad array of exchange of views and consultations on such areas as trade in goods, trade in services, rules of origin, custom procedures, preamble, general and final provisions, as well as dispute settlement were held. Japan and the GCC confirmed their will to achieve liberalization consistent with WTO and an early conclusion of the negotiations.
7. The third round of inter-sessional meeting from 14 to 16 July, 2008
The third round of inter-sessional meeting of the Working-Level was held in Tokyo. Exchange of views and consultations on such areas as trade in goods, trade in services, rules of origin, customs procedures, preamble, general and final provisions, as well as dispute settlement were held.
8. The fourth round of inter-sessional meeting from 29 to 31 May 2009
The fourth round of inter-sessional meeting of the Working-Level was held in Riyadh. Exchange of views and consultations on such areas as trade in goods, trade in services, the establishment of investment, rules of origin, customs procedures, preamble, general and final provisions, as well as dispute settlement were held.
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