The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is making significant progress towards a unified definition of Gulf national products, a pivotal step toward achieving “economic citizenship” across the region and boosting the industrial sector.
This development was the focal point of the fifth extraordinary meeting of the Undersecretaries of Industry Ministries from GCC countries, held in Doha. Mohamed bin Hassan al-Malki, Qatar’s Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the importance of solidifying this framework, which is seen as crucial for achieving greater regional cooperation.
“This consensus will foster collaboration among GCC nations and help us reach common objectives, particularly advancing the economic and industrial sectors,” al-Malki said, joined by Khalid bin Ali al-Sunaidi, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs at the GCC Secretariat General.
The unified criteria for defining Gulf national products will unlock new opportunities for joint efforts and is aligned with the region’s push toward economic integration and sustainable development. The meeting also reviewed progress on applying the Gulf National Product Standards and adopted recommendations to enhance competitiveness, particularly in supporting the private sector.
The Economic Agreement of 2001’s Article 3 highlights the concept of “economic citizenship,” which ensures equal treatment of all GCC nationals in member states across economic sectors. By unifying product standards and incentives, the GCC moves closer to establishing a cohesive economic framework for the region.
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