The GCC Ministers of Commerce held the 58th on Thursday, 14 November 2019, in Muscat, Omen. The meeting was chaired by, Dr. Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Sultanate of Oman; and the participation of the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani.

In his opening speech, the Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Sultanate of Oman expressed his thanks and appreciation to the GCC General Secretariat for its efforts in following up the implementation of the resolutions resulting from the 57th meeting of the GCC Trade Cooperation Committee and preparing for the meetings of this session.

He said that the meeting's agenda includes a number of important issues, expressing his hope to come up with more decisions that achieve economic integration among the GCC States, and support the orientations of their Majesties and Highnesses the GCC leaders towards advancing the GCC journey to achieve its goals and consolidates the foundations of the common Gulf economy to serve the GCC States and meet the aspirations of their people.

In his speech, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council expressed his sincere thanks to His Excellency the Minister and senior officials in the Ministry for hosting the meeting of the GCC Ministers of Commerce Committee, the GCC Ministers of Industry Committee, and the GCC Ministerial Committee for Standardization, as well as hosting yesterday the Consultative Meeting between the GCC Ministers of Commerce and Industry and the Heads of the GCC Chambers of Commerce and Industry and The 1st Meeting between the GCC Ministers of Trade and Industry and the GCC Entrepreneurs.

He said that this meeting is an important addition to the cooperation between the GCC States in the trade field, demonstrates the Ministers' constant endeavor to further develop the foundations of this constructive cooperation and overcome obstacles and deal with the challenges facing the economic integration among the GCC States.

The Secretary General added that the GCC Ministers of Commerce Committee has made many important achievements that opened wide horizons in many economic fields among the GCC States in particular and with the countries of the world in general, implementing the directives of their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the GCC States, may Allah protect and save them, who have always stressed to the necessity of working to increase and expand the horizons of cooperation and trade exchange between the GCC States for the good and benefit of its citizens, and enhance their global economic status.

The meeting discussed a number of issues related to enhancing cooperation and integration among the GCC States in the trade field, and ways to develop the role of this vital sector in achieving the desired economic growth.