Gulf Trade Ministers' Undersecretaries Hold Preparatory Meeting for the 71st Ministerial Meeting in Bahrain

(KUNA) – The Ministers of Trade of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states held their 64th meeting via video conference on Tuesday to prepare for the 71st meeting of GCC Ministers of Trade, scheduled to take place in the Kingdom of Bahrain on October 7.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated in a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the meeting discussed several items on its agenda related to the work plans of the technical committees under the Commercial Cooperation Committee. These plans aim to deepen integration among GCC member states in areas of domestic and foreign trade, consumer protection, small and medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurship, and investment.

The ministry added that the meeting reviewed the latest developments in negotiations with countries and international blocs, as well as progress on studies to enhance Gulf integration in strategic sectors, including a study on establishing strategic storage zones for food, medicines, and other essential needs in the Gulf region.

It noted that the meeting also reviewed updates on the GCC Commercial Arbitration Center system and the GCC commercial laws, emphasizing the importance of activating the role of consumer protection agencies on the “Ujil” (Urgent) system platform and overseeing Gulf conformity certificates in coordination with the Gulf Standardization Organization.

The ministry further stated that the meeting reviewed a report from the General Secretariat on the measures taken by the Assistant General Secretariat for Economic and Development Affairs in light of current events.