Brexit and the GCC – What lies ahead? With Brexit having come into full effect on January 1, how will the UK’s ties with the GCC evolve? by Aarti Nagraj It was a nail-biting finish, almost. The saga that was Brexit stretched on to the last minute, with uncertainty about whether the European Union and the UK would strike a trade deal or see an acrimonious ‘no-deal’ split. A historic trade deal was finally signed on December 24, a week before the end of the Brexit transition period, triggering relief on both sides. The days following January 1, 2021 have been bumpy, with expected issues on the EU-UK borders – especially for freight operators. “As already seems to be the case after the first few days, the new arrangements are not without their challenges in terms of paperwork and red tape,” says Joe Hepworth, director of OCO Global, and founder of the British Centres for Business (BCB).