Doha [Qatar], April 7: The Qatar Chamber (QC) participated on Monday, April 6, in a high-level webinar organised by the Federation of Gulf Cooperation Council Chambers (FGCCC), bringing together key stakeholders from across the Gulf region to address pressing challenges facing the private sector and explore avenues for enhanced regionalcooperation.
The virtual meeting was chaired by Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Secretary-General of the Federation, and witnessed the participation of representatives from the GCC General Secretariat and the GCC Customs Union Authority.
Representing Qatar Chamber were Ali bin Abdullatif Al Misnad, board member and chairman of the Services Committee, and Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Obaidli, board member and chairman of the Food Security and Environment Committee. Their participation underscored Qatar Chamber's active role in advancing dialogue on regional trade and economic resilience.
The meeting also featured prominent participation from Khalid bin Ali Al Sunaidi, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs at the GCC General Secretariat, and Sulaiman bin Masoud Al Ghafri, Executive Director of the GCC Customs Union Authority.
Discussions during the webinar focused on the key challenges and obstacles confronting the Gulf private sector in the current global and regional economic landscape. Participants exchanged insights on rising operational costs, supply chain disruptions, and the need for streamlined trade procedures, while also addressing the concerns and perspectives of private sector representatives across GCC countries.
In his remarks, Ali bin Abdullatif Al Misnad commended the strong level of cooperation among GCC stakeholders, noting that recent developments have contributed to rising prices and increased pressure on businesses.
He proposed the organisation of a dedicated seminar to explore practical and actionable solutions, highlighting the importance of involving international shipping and insurance companies in such discussions to ensure comprehensive outcomes.
For his part, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Obaidli praised the proactive measures taken by the Saudi Arabia to facilitate the smooth movement of goods across GCC borders. He urged other member states to adopt similar approaches to enhance efficiency and reduce bottlenecks. Al Obaidli also stressed the importance of strengthening public-private partnerships during the current phase to ensure economic stability and resilience.
He further proposed several forward-looking initiatives to be implemented by GCC Chambers in collaboration with the public sector.
These included the development of a unified electronic system to streamline the movement of goods across internal borders without repetitive inspections, the establishment of a comprehensive GCC database linking exporters and importers to address supply shortages, and the creation of a Commercial Dispute Resolution Center aimed at supporting traders and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of services across the region.
In his concluding remarks, Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi affirmed that the meeting reflects the strong commitment of the Federation and GCC authorities to addressing the challenges faced by the private sector and enhancing trade facilitation among member states.
Participants collectively praised the spirit of cooperation and solidarity among GCC countries, emphasising the importance of intensifying joint efforts to overcome logistical challenges, particularly those affecting truck movement at ports. The discussions highlighted a shared vision of fostering greater economic integration and resilience across the Gulf region.
The webinar served as an important platform for constructive dialogue, reinforcing the role of regional collaboration in addressing emerging challenges and supporting sustainable growth within the GCC private sector.
Source: Qatar Tribune
