UAE underscores its commitment to continuing to develop policies and legislation that enhance the competitiveness of the GCC economies
HE Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi: Strategic partnerships are a cornerstone in supporting the GCC's industrial growth and play a pivotal role in driving sustainable development. The meeting covered a range of topics aimed at facilitating trade and investment among the GCC countries.
The latest developments within the GCC Investment Committee and efforts to support investment environment were reviewed, in addition to exploring mechanisms to overcome challenges faced by investors.
Strengthening of relations between member states in the industrial sector was discussed, with participants agreeing to support collaborative efforts and the GCC Industrial Excellence Award.
His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, led the UAE delegation participating in the meetings of the GCC Ministerial Committees of Trade and Industrial Cooperation and Standardization Affairs, held in Kuwait. The meetings discussed a range of initiatives and topics aimed at advancing the GCC's economic environment, supporting entrepreneurial projects, and coordinating trade and legislative policies, as well as strengthening industrial relations among member states, in addition to strengthening relations between member states and supporting collaborative efforts through joint Gulf industrial work.
With an aim to enhance trade and investment cooperation among the GCC countries, the meetings reviewed the latest developments in free trade agreements negotiations between the GCC and other international blocs, as well as the priorities in strengthening international partnerships and broadening access to global markets.
His Excellency Dr Al Zeyoudi emphasized that the UAE is committed to promoting the GCC's economic integration, particularly in light of ongoing global economic shifts. H.E. underscored the importance of coordinated efforts in developing trade policies and legislation, supporting competitive systems, and funding entrepreneurial initiatives, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises, all of which would enhance intra-GCC trade and bolster its competitiveness in the global market.
His Excellency said: 'The meetings discussed several strategic topics that are key priorities for the member states, including the adoption of a unified approach to the development of trade policies and legislation among the member states.'
The meeting conducted a comprehensive review of the developments within the GCC Investment Agents Committee, key initiatives supporting GCC's investment environment, mechanisms for overcoming challenges faced by investors, and factors enhancing the attractiveness of GCC markets for investments.
During the meetings, the committee reviewed the progress of work in implementing the joint Gulf action strategy in the field of patents. The meetings concluded with a review of latest developments related to a proposal to organize a number of Gulf economic forums with some commercial partners during 2025.
The Industrial Cooperation Committee meeting focused on strengthening industrial relations among member states and the GCC Industrial Excellence Awards. The meeting also discussed several joint initiatives and topics aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the industrial sector and promoting intra-GCC trade.
During the Standardization Affairs Committee meeting, the members approved a number of unified GCC technical regulations in the food and electric vehicle sectors, with the aim of enhancing the GCC market and facilitating trade exchange among member states. The committee also approved the internal regulations for the GCC Accreditation Center.
The UAE delegation included H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy; H.E. Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology; H.E. Juma Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary of Foreign Trade Affairs at Ministry of Economy; H.E. Safeya AlSafi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Control and Commercial Governance Sector at Ministry of Economy; H.E. Dr. Farah Al Zarooni, Assistant Undersecretary for Standardization Affairs; and H.E. Osama Amir Fadhel, Assistant Undersecretary for the Industrial Accelerators Sector at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.
The meetings reflect the bloc's continued commitment to strengthening joint efforts, advancing the development of its economic and industrial sectors, and expanding opportunities for the private sector, contributing to solidifying the position of GCC countries as leading industrial and commercial hubs at both regional and global levels.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mid East Info
25 minutes ago
- Mid East Info
In the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Legal Affairs, the winners of the Habib Al Mulla Academy Legal Research Writing Competition were announced
Habib Al Mulla Academy, in collaboration with LexisNexis and Saint Joseph University in Dubai, proudly held the awards ceremony of the first edition of the Habib Al Mulla Legal Writing Competition, a unique initiative aimed at empowering future legal minds and encouraging innovation in legislative writing. This morning's ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria DIFC was attended by legal professionals, academics, and competition finalists. The event concluded with an award presentation by Dr Juma Alfalasi from the Dubai Legal Affairs Department (DLAD), followed by closing remarks from Dr. Habib Al Mulla. We are pleased to announce the top three winners: Alia Al Marzouqi – First Place Abeer Shalish – Second Place Aseel Abu Shehab – Third Place The competition invited students from across the UAE to submit legal research papers focused on current legislative developments and innovative legal solutions. Participants were evaluated by a distinguished panel of legal academics and practitioners. It was also announced that the first-place prize has been increased to AED 20,000 in the second edition and that a new category has been introduced for legal research in the GCC countries.
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt FM tackles catastrophic conditions in Gaza, Israel-Iran military conflict with OIC ministers - Foreign Affairs
Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on Sunday in Istanbul on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers summit. Talks focused on urgent regional challenges, including the intensifying Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, the protracted Yemeni crisis, Red Sea security, and the escalating military confrontation between Israel and Iran, according to statements from Egypt's foreign ministry. In a meeting with his Yemeni counterpart, Shaye Al-Zindani, Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's support for Yemen's internationally recognized government and emphasized the urgent need to resume intra-Yemeni dialogue to achieve a comprehensive political settlement. He said such a resolution must be acceptable to all Yemeni factions, preserve national unity and legitimate institutions, and end the ongoing humanitarian crisis. He also underlined the connection between Yemen's stability and broader regional security. The ministers also discussed maritime security in the Red Sea—a key strategic concern for Egypt, given its direct bearing on national security. Abdelatty briefed Al-Zindani on Egypt's ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza amid worsening humanitarian conditions. The rising military escalation between Israel and Iran was also addressed, with Abdelatty warning against a slide into regional chaos and calling for de-escalation through diplomatic channels. Later in the day, Abdelatty held talks with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Muhammad Ishaq Dar. Both officials voiced alarm over the growing Israel-Iran conflict, warning that continued escalation would deepen regional instability. Abdelatty reiterated the urgent need to halt military operations and pursue political and diplomatic avenues to prevent further violence. Earlier Sunday, the Egyptian minister met separately with his Algerian and Bangladeshi counterparts, Ahmed Attaf and Tawhid Hussein. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt's commitment to securing a Gaza ceasefire, describing it as critical to de-escalation and restoring humanitarian aid access to the besieged territory. The meetings also examined the broader implications of the Israel-Iran standoff for regional security. Abdelatty stressed that political and diplomatic solutions remain the only viable path to avoid a broader conflagration in the Middle East. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
a day ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt FM discusses efforts to de-escalate Israel-Iran conflict with Iranian counterpart in Istanbul - Foreign Affairs
Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty discussed the ongoing Israeli aggression on Iran and efforts to de-escalate the conflict between Tel-Aviv and Tehran with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Turkey on Saturday. The two top diplomats met in Istanbul during the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit. According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Minister Abdelatty reviewed with Araghchi intensive diplomatic efforts undertaken in recent days to de-escalate the conflict and achieve a ceasefire. Adelatty stressed to Araghchi the importance of pursuing diplomatic and political avenues to reach a sustainable agreement on Iran's nuclear program, to contain the escalating situation, and prevent further instability in the region. For his part, FM Aragchi shared the outcomes of his Friday talks in Geneva with the foreign ministers of the European Troika (the UK, France, and Germany) and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, focusing on the Iranian nuclear issue. Both ministers agreed to maintain communication and continue consultations to resolve the crisis and safeguard regional security and stability. Meeting with Saudi counterpart Minister Abdelatty also met with his Saudi and Iraqi counterparts on the sidelines of the OIC summit. Minister Badr Abdelatty and Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, exchanged views on the consequences of the ongoing escalation between Israel and Iran. Abdelatty reiterated the urgent need for political and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate, achieve a ceasefire, and resume diplomatic negotiations aimed at reaching a sustainable agreement on the Iranian nuclear file. Aside from the regional development, Minister Abdelatty also praised the strong fraternal ties between Egypt and Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to launching the Saudi-Egyptian Supreme Coordination Council and holding the Saudi-Egyptian Investment Forum, with the participation of ministers and leading business figures from both countries. He emphasized that this forum is a key and constructive step to strengthen economic relations, in line with the directives of the political leadership in both nations to elevate bilateral ties to broader horizons. The Egyptian FM also outlined Egypt's vision for the upcoming Egyptian-Gulf Investment Forum, scheduled to be hosted in Cairo later this year under the framework of the ministerial consultative mechanism between Egypt and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The forum is expected to mark a qualitative leap in economic integration between Egypt and the GCC, particularly in trade, industry, renewable energy, logistics, communications and information technology, digital transformation, healthcare, agriculture, and education. The forum is anticipated to create valuable opportunities to enhance partnerships and cooperation programs between Egypt and its Gulf partners. Minister Abdelatty further highlighted Egypt's prioritization of localizing industry and technology, stressing the importance of achieving industrial integration between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, especially in renewable energy and food security. He also reviewed the incentives and facilities provided by the Egyptian government to industrial investors. Meeting with Iraqi counterpart Egypt's Minister of Foreign Badr Abdelatty met with Fuad Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, in Istanbul, on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meetings. During the meeting, FM Abdelatty stressed the importance of intensified Arab consultation and coordination regarding the escalating military tensions between Israel and Iran and their grave implications for regional security and stability. He underscored the need to halt the escalation, return to negotiations, and pursue political and diplomatic solutions to prevent the region from descending into widespread chaos. The Egyptian FM also outlined Egypt's ongoing efforts to restore a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need. He noted that regional developments and challenges require greater cooperation and integration among Arab nations. He also reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to implementing joint projects under the trilateral cooperation mechanism between Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan. Minister Abdelatty praised the deep-rooted and brotherly ties between Egypt and Iraq, commending the successful convening of the third session of the Egyptian-Iraqi Higher Joint Committee, which took place in Baghdad in January 2025. The session concluded with the signing of 12 agreements to advance relations between the two nations. He also emphasized Egypt's readiness to contribute to Iraq's development projects, highlighting the extensive experience and capabilities of Egyptian companies in this field. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
