GCC Trade Ministers Discuss Creation of Strategic Food and Medicine Storage Zones

Kuwait participated in the 71st meeting of the Ministers of Trade of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, held in Manama, with a delegation headed by the Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment and Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry, Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq. Kuwait’s participation in the meeting comes in line with its commitment to supporting the progress of joint GCC efforts and enhancing economic integration and coordination among GCC member states in commercial and economic fields, thereby contributing to sustainable development, improving the business environment, and boosting intra-GCC trade.

The meeting, chaired by the Kingdom of Bahrain and attended by the Ministers of Trade of GCC member states, discussed several topics related to strengthening commercial and economic integration and cooperation among the GCC countries.

The meeting reviewed updates on the study to enhance GCC integration in strategic sectors, including the establishment of strategic GCC storage zones for food, pharmaceuticals, and other needs. It also covered updates on negotiations for free trade agreements with countries and international economic blocs, as well as follow-up on the implementation of decisions issued by the Supreme Council and decisions adopted by the Trade Cooperation Committee.

Furthermore, the meeting examined the work of the Deputies of Investment Committee of the GCC countries, updates on commercial laws and unified regulations governing e-commerce and digital trade in GCC member states, the GCC Consumer Protection Law, the GCC Commercial Arbitration Center system, and matters related to the Patent Office under the General Secretariat.

The meeting also addressed ways to enhance coordination between the Consumer Protection Committee, the Gulf Standardization Organization, and relevant national authorities, aiming to activate the role of consumer protection bodies on the “Ajyal” system platform and oversee Gulf conformity certificates. Additionally, it discussed the action plan of the GCC Consumer Protection Committee.

The meeting also reviewed the action plan of the Small and Medium Enterprises and Entrepreneurship Committee for the period 2027–2030, along with updates on the study examining reasons for the limited expansion of small and medium enterprises in GCC countries.

The meeting reviewed the General Secretariat’s memorandum concerning the work of committees affiliated with the Trade Cooperation Committee, including the Small and Medium Enterprises and Entrepreneurship Committee, the Internal Trade Committee, the Consumer Protection Committee, and the External Trade Committee.

The meeting also discussed the schedule for meetings and sessions of the Trade Cooperation Committee for 2027, which will be chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and approved the calendar of committee meetings and related sessions for the same year.