Qatar Chamber supports Gulf joint action seeking economic integration between GCC states, says al-Sharqi

Qatar Chamber recently hosted the 50th meeting of the Executive Committee of the Federation of the Gulf Co-operation Council Chambers (FGCCC) with the participation of chief executives and directors of unions and chambers of GCC States.The meeting was chaired by Qatar Chamber general manager Saleh bin Hamad al-Sharqi and was attended by FGCCC secretary-general Dr Saud bin Abdulaziz al-Mishari.Al-Sharqi expressed hope that the meeting would achieve the committee’s main objectives, specifically the activation of the committee’s role in the FGCCC General Secretariat work programme.He stressed that Qatar Chamber supports the efforts to achieve integration and boost co-operation among member chambers for the benefit of the Gulf economy, which stems from Qatar’s support for the Gulf joint action to achieve the economic integration between GCC states.The meeting endorsed the minutes of the 49th meeting and reviewed the recommendations of the committee’s 49th meeting held in March 2021, and a proposal submitted by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry regarding the activation of sectorial committees among the member states.It also reviewed a feasible study and expected expenses of the FGCCC’s new headquarters and a draft work programme of the FGCCC General Secretariat and the estimated budget for the year 2022. The committee also discussed the draft agenda of the 56th meeting of the federation and the 51st meeting of the executive committee. It also was agreed on recommendations related to these topics to be raised to the FGCCC Council. The committee members also agreed that the 51st meeting of the executive committee will be held on February 17, 2022, in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.The executive committee of the FGCCC consists of directors and executives of members unions and chambers of the GCC states. It is worth mentioning that the FGCCC was established in 1979 with the primary objective of supporting the six GCC national chamber members. It aims to represent the Gulf private sector at the GCC ministerial and technical committees, co-ordinate with the general secretariat of the GCC on matters related to the Gulf private sector, organise events that involve co-operation between member chambers and the GCC General Secretariat and Gulf, Arab and international organisations, encourage foreign companies to invest in GCC states, support small and medium-sized enterprises and businessmen, publish directories, magazines, leaflets, and other publications, prepare training programmes to improve the performance of the private sector, undertake studies and working papers that relate to the Gulf economy, mediate in the settlement of trade disputes, and propose laws and regulations related to the private sector to the concerned authorities.