Manama:The fifteenth consultative meeting between the GCC Ministers of Commerce and Industry and the Presidents of the GCC Chambers of Commerce and Industry was recently convened in Manama. The meeting was attended by significant delegations, including the Sultanate of Oman, represented by Eng. Ghalib Said Al Maamari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Commerce and Industry. The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) was represented by Rashid Amer Al Maslahi, First Deputy Chairman of the Chamber's Board of Directors.
According to Oman News Agency, the meeting underscored the critical relationship between the government and private sectors in the GCC during the ongoing regional crisis. Discussions highlighted the challenges confronting the Gulf private sector and the need to provide solutions to overcome these obstacles.
Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, the GCC Secretary-General, praised the private sector's role in achieving national objectives and promoting joint Gulf cooperation. He emphasized that the meeting aims to develop initiatives that bolster the private sector's growth, making it a significant economic contributor and enhancing the GCC's international economic standing.
Sheikh Khalifa Jassim Mohammed Al Thani, President of the Federation of Gulf Chambers and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qatar Chamber, highlighted the necessity of strengthening Gulf integration and creating a resilient trade and logistics system. This system should be capable of handling regional and international changes to ensure the uninterrupted flow of goods, maintain market security, and enhance the Gulf private sector's competitiveness.
Rashid Amer Al Maslahi explained that the meeting covered a range of crucial economic and strategic topics. Key issues included supply chain challenges, rising costs in shipping and marine insurance, and drafting strategies to address geopolitical challenges. The participants also discussed establishing a joint digital logistics market to improve trade and logistics services, enhancing the competitiveness of factories in Gulf free zones, and increasing small and medium enterprises' access to financing.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to sustain close coordination between the Federation of Gulf Chambers, the General Secretariat, and relevant GCC authorities. This coordination aims to remove bureaucratic hurdles and foster an attractive investment environment for the Gulf business community. The consultative meeting serves as a platform for dialogue between policymakers and private sector representatives, aimed at promoting economic growth and addressing economic challenges in the GCC region.