The Council of the Federation of Gulf Chambers calls for accelerating economic integration

The meeting discussed a number of topics aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, supporting the private sector’s contribution to the development of intra-Gulf trade, and enhancing its role in economic activity in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Navigation Movement

He stressed that these developments demonstrated the increasing importance of the Union of Gulf Chambers as a strategic platform capable of responding effectively to challenges, which contributes to supporting the stability of the economies of the GCC countries and sustaining their growth, and enhancing their readiness to face various circumstances.

The development process

He also appreciated the proposals put forward by the member chambers to deal with the current challenges, in a way that supports the development process and enhances national and regional stability, indicating that the ambition at this stage exceeds Cooperation frameworks to build an integrated and influential Gulf economic partnership in shaping the features of the global economy, in a way that translates the aspirations of the Gulf peoples and reflects the status and capabilities of their countries.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim explained that in light of the current challenges, in coordination with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, specialized committees were formed that work with high efficiency, undertaking the tasks of continuous monitoring and evaluation of economic and logistical challenges, in a way that ensures the sustainability of trade movement and the smooth flow of supply chains, and enhances the readiness of the GCC economies to deal with various scenarios..

A unified Gulf vision

He renewed the Union’s commitment to continuing to work in the spirit of one team, and to remain in session and in constant coordination to follow up and address the negative repercussions of this crisis, and to move proactively to limit its effects in a way that ensures the stability of the Gulf economies and the sustainability of their growth, and enhances the ability of the private sector to perform its role as a major partner in development.

He pointed out that the next stage requires moving from the coordination stage to the actual integration stage, by adopting a unified Gulf vision based on enhancing preparedness for crises through developing a permanent strategy to monitor geopolitical risks and deal with them efficiently and proactively, in addition to accelerating the implementation of strategic connectivity projects, especially in the areas of transport and infrastructure, diversifying logistical routes and enhancing their flexibility to ensure the continuity of supply chains, and facilitating intra-trade in a manner that paves the way for the establishment of a market. A joint Gulf region that is more integrated and efficient, and contributes to building a more dynamic and competitive economy. .

Protecting Homelands

He stressed his firm support for the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and support for all the policies and measures they take to protect the homelands, citizens, and residents, and to preserve the economic, developmental, and civilizational gains that have been achieved over the decades..

The agenda of the meeting included presenting a report on the outcomes of the emergency Board of Directors meeting of the heads of the member federations and chambers held on March 16, 2026 via video communication, in addition to reviewing the report on the efforts of the General Secretariat, the federations and the member chambers during the exceptional period, and presenting the annual report of the General Secretariat for the year 2025, the financial statements for the same year, and the comparative report, in addition to the schedule of events and activities of the General Secretariat for the year 2026.

Fortifying Economies

On a related level, today, Thursday, April 30, 2026, via video communication technology, the fourteenth consultative meeting was held between the Ministers of Trade and Industry, and the heads of the federations and chambers of commerce and industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, where it discussed a number of topics related to trade and industrial cooperation, in light of the geopolitical conditions that the region is going through and their repercussions on the Gulf economies. .

The Gulf Private Sector

He stressed that the Federation of Gulf Cooperation Council Chambers continues to play its role in representing the interests of the Gulf private sector and enhancing its contribution to the process of economic integration, by introducing initiatives that support the business environment and intensifying channels of communication with government agencies, in a way that enhances the strategic partnership between the public and private sectors, leading to achieving Gulf economic integration.

He pointed out that the exceptional circumstances associated with the current crisis prompted a re-arrangement of priorities, and a focus on the challenges resulting from it, pointing out that the Union received a set of proposals from the Gulf chambers that dealt with the repercussions of closing the Strait of Hormuz, and the resulting obstruction in supply chains, problems in shipping, land and sea transport, and high logistical costs, stressing that these proposals aim to protect Gulf economic interests, mitigate the impact of geopolitical shocks, and ensure continuity. Supply chains, and enhancing coordination and integration among the GCC countries"LTR">.

He added that the previous consultative meetings succeeded in addressing about 45 topics out of 60 topics presented by the private sector, with a completion rate of 75%, appreciating the efforts of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council in this context, and indicating the continuation of work to complete the treatment of the remaining topics through the relevant ministerial committees and the Gulf Customs Union Authority.