Senior official stresses importance of GCC economic, development meeting

RIYADH: Kuwaiti Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah on Thursday stressed the importance of a GCC meeting on economy and development due later today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, who is also Acting Minister of Justice and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs, is attending the first meeting of the GCC commission for economic and development affairs, to be chaired by Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Mohammed bin Salman. GCC Secretary General Abdullatif Al-Zayani is taking part in the meeting.

Establishing the commission is part of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud’s ‘Vision 2030’ for enhancing the pan-GCC economic and development, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah said a head of the meeting. The commission was approved by the GCC Supreme Council in it 16th Consultative Meeting held in Jeddah in May, 2016.

It is entrusted with examining the policies, recommendations, studies and projects that aim to promote cooperation and integration among the GCC member states in economy and development, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, who is also Acting Minister of Justice and Minister of State for National Assembly said. In addition, the commission encourages and works on promoting existing activities, as well as following up the implementation of the GCC economic resolutions and agreements.

Participants in today’s gathering will review the resolution by the GCC Supreme Council 16th Consultative Meeting to establish the commission, as well as the outcome of the ministerial preparatory meeting held at the GCC Secretariat in Riyadh on November 3, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah said.

The meeting will also discuss the authority’s domains and inner system, and its relation with the GCC Supreme and Ministerial Councils, in addition to establishing a commission bureau to be directly under the GCC Secretary General.

The proposed bureau will be tasked with submitting studies for supporting the commission’s economic and development activities. The meeting will also discuss a Saudi vision on the commission’s work program, which includes developing the legislation systems related to the GCC joint economic and development action.