GCC–Asia–Europe Connectivity Patterns in the Context of Emerging Trade Corridors

Over the first quarter of the twenty-first century, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has substantially strengthened its position within Asia–Europe transport connectivity. This paper examines whether the expansion of national transport infrastructure and participation in international corridors has been accompanied by a comparable level of regional integration. The analysis combines trade and transport indicators with an institutional assessment of national, regional and international projects, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Iraq Development Road (IDR) and International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The results show that national infrastructure and international connectivity have developed faster than regional integration mechanisms. Competition has encouraged infrastructure investment and route diversification, but limited coordination has also contributed to parallel logistics capacities. The GCC is therefore becoming more deeply integrated into Eurasian connectivity mainly through national and bilateral infrastructure rather than through a fully integrated regional transport system.