His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), underscored that commercial cooperation represents a key driver of Gulf economic integration and a vital instrument for strengthening the interconnectedness of GCC economies, expanding private sector opportunities, and elevating competitiveness, culminating in the realisation of the desired Gulf economic unity.
His Excellency’s remarks came during his address at the 71st Meeting of the GCC Commercial Cooperation Committee, held today, Tuesday (October 6, 2026), in the Bahraini capital, Manama, chaired by His Excellency Mr Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce in the Kingdom of Bahrain and Chairman of the current session, and in the presence of Their Excellencies the Ministers of Commerce of the GCC member states.
At the outset of his address, His Excellency the Secretary General expressed his highest thanks, appreciation, and gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain and President of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, for the Kingdom of Bahrain’s hosting of the 71st Meeting of the GCC Commercial Cooperation Committee, and for the facilities and support Bahrain continues to extend to ensure the success of GCC endeavours. He also praised the steadfast support and attention accorded to joint GCC action by His Majesty alongside Their Majesties and Highnesses the Leaders of the GCC states across all fields.
His Excellency highlighted that GCC member states are continuing their efforts to consolidate the achievements of joint Gulf economic action.
"The GCC states are progressing with the development of the GCC Common Market and cementing commercial integration, reinforcing the Council’s standing as a leading global economic and commercial hub. Concurrently, member states are actively keeping pace with global economic shifts and challenges, accelerating initiatives and projects that spur growth, enhance competitiveness, and unlock broader horizons for trade and investment," His Excellency underlined.
In the same vein, His Excellency stated that these efforts—bolstered by the support and guidance of Their Majesties and Highnesses the Leaders of the GCC states—have culminated in establishing a robust economic foundation and growing intra-GCC trade, as reflected across key Gulf economic and trade indicators. He explained that these metrics demonstrate the resilience and growing integration of GCC economies, alongside the promising opportunities the Gulf market offers to further advance trade, investment, and the private sector's role.
