KPA chief underlines importance of coordination among Gulf ports

Ministerial economic panel discusses GCC common market

CAIRO, Oct 7, (KUNA): The Director General of Kuwait Port Authority and President of Arab Sea Ports Federation Sheikh Yousef Al-Sabah asserted Sunday importance of coordinating efforts among Gulf ports in case of emergency in the region.

In a statement to KUNA, Sheikh Yousef, who is also the president of Arab Transportation Sector, made his remarks at the conclusion of the 55th Arab Sea Ports Federation meetings here in Egypt.

Sheikh Yousef said another meeting took place on the sidelines, which also tackled issues related to implications of securing all Gulf ports from Iraq to Amman.

He added that the sub-meeting, which was attended by the Gulf countries as well as Egypt and Iraq, stressed the need for direct coordination between ports in neighboring countries to secure supplies “in the event of any repercussions.”

He pointed to the need to hold a meeting of customs authorities to facilitate the customs process in case of crises, stressing the importance of participation in the meeting mentioned the major shipping companies, most notably (Maersk), (COSCO), (MSC) and (Hapag Lloyd).

Al-Sabah wondered what alternative ports are available to the Gulf importing countries if the Strait of Hormuz or Bab AlMandab is closed, pointing out that the UAE and Saudi Arabia have set up three ports to receive all the ships coming to Gulf, namely Al-Fujairah, Ras AlKhaimah, and Jeddah Islamic Port.

He also underlined the importance of intensifying visits between the Gulf ports authorities to secure “basic supplies” contained in all its products, whether food or medicine.

Sheikh Yousef said that the meeting of the Arab Sea Ports Federation reviewed the plan of the Kuwaiti Port Authority for the 2035 development plan.

Meeting

Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Finance Minister Nayef Al-Hajraf said Monday that the 110th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ministerial committee on financial and economic cooperation in Muscat discussed the Gulf Common Market.

In a statement to KUNA on sidelines of the meeting, AlHajraf said the GCC officials discussed a number of topics related to joint financial and economic cooperation, including recommendations made by the committees of governors of monetary institutions and the GCC central banks.

The minister noted that the meeting also touched upon the review of the secretariat’s memorandums on the implementation of resolutions and measures to combat harmful practices in international trade, in addition to awareness programs on the harm of tobacco and the dangers of drinking sweetened beverages.

The meeting, which lasted for one day, dealt with the minutes of the 56th meeting of the Committee of Under-Secretaries of the Ministries of Finance, the minutes of the 37th meeting of the Board of Governors of Gulf Monetary Institutions and Central Banks and the minutes of the sixth meeting.

It also discussed the minutes of the 26th and 27th meetings of the Gulf Common Market Committee and the results of the 22nd meeting of the Gulf Customs Union.

Minister Al-Hajraf in a group photo during the GCC ministerial committee on financial and economic cooperation.