Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), noted the fundamental and important role of the private sector in the GCC countries in achieving the desired economic integration.

He indicated that the meeting of the heads of the member federations and chambers aims to create a periodic platform for dialogue among policy and decision-makers in the GCC countries, and the heads and members of the chambers of commerce and industry on various topics related to GCC economic cooperation issues.

The Secretary General made the statements during his participation in the third meeting of the heads of member federations and chambers, held today in Manama.

Addressing the meeting, Albudaiwi stated that Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the GCC countries have stressed their support for joint GCC action to achieve the aspirations of the citizens of the Member States towards greater interconnection, cooperation and integration among them in various fields, the latest of which was their directives in the 43rd summit held in December 2022 in Riyadh, and the 18th consultative meeting held in July 2023 in the city of Jeddah.

He stressed on the importance of supporting and enhancing the partnership between the public and private sectors in the GCC member states, noting that this meeting is an opportunity to increase cooperation and integration between the General Secretariat and the private sector in the GCC, represented by the Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce, in addressing the challenges and obstacles facing the private sector in this region and working towards overcoming them, finding successful solutions, and presenting innovative initiatives that serve this field, thus contributing to elevating and deepening economic integration among the Council countries.

He also highlighted the General Secretariat’s keenness to monitor and study the challenges and obstacles facing the private sector, and to raise them to the relevant ministerial and technical committees to tackle them and seek sustainable solutions, adding that one of the key challenges is enhancing intra-regional trade among the Council countries and addressing the challenges it faces.

Source: Bahrain News Agency (BNA)