Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Heads Kuwait Delegation to 71st Meeting of Gulf Commerce Ministers in Manama

Manama, Oct 6 (KUNA) -- Kuwait participated in the 71st meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministers of Trade, held in Manama on Tuesday, with a delegation headed by Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment and Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq. Kuwait’s participation comes in line with its commitment to supporting the progress of joint GCC efforts and enhancing economic integration and coordination among member states in trade 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 trade ministers of GCC member states, discussed several topics related to strengthening trade and economic integration and cooperation among the member states.

The meeting reviewed updates on the study aimed at enhancing GCC integration in strategic sectors, including the establishment of strategic GCC storage zones for food, pharmaceuticals, and other necessities. 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.

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

The discussion 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” platform and oversee compliance with GCC conformity certificates. It also reviewed the action plan of the GCC Consumer Protection Committee.

Furthermore, the meeting discussed the action plan of the GCC Committee for Small and Medium Enterprises and Entrepreneurship for the period 2027–2030, and reviewed updates on the study examining the reasons behind the limited expansion of small and medium enterprises in GCC states.

The meeting also reviewed a memorandum from the Secretariat General concerning the work of committees under the Trade Cooperation Committee, including the Committee for Small and Medium Enterprises and Entrepreneurship, the Internal Trade Committee, the Consumer Protection Committee, and the External Trade Committee.

The meeting further discussed the schedule for meetings and sessions of the Trade Cooperation Committee in 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. (End) K.N.A. / M.A.A.