UAE Minister Leads Delegation at Crucial GCC Industry Talks in Qatar

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, took the helm of a UAE delegation participating in a series of significant regional industrial gatherings held in Doha, Qatar. The delegation engaged in sessions of the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee and the Ministerial Committee for Standardisation Affairs, with the primary objective of fortifying industrial and investment ties among GCC member states.

Qatar, currently presiding over the GCC Council, facilitated meetings among GCC ministers of trade and industry. Preceding this, a preliminary series of sessions involving undersecretaries of trade and industry laid the groundwork, deliberating on agendas and pertinent topics to be addressed during the ministerial meetings.

At the 52nd meeting of the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee and the seventh gathering of the Ministerial Committee for Standardisation Affairs, delegates delved into discussions aimed at bolstering cooperation in industrial spheres and advancing standards and metrology. Various technical reports and strategic plans designed to enhance collaboration among member states were thoroughly examined.

Dr. Al Jaber extended greetings from the UAE leadership, affirming its steadfast commitment to reinforcing investment relations and partnerships in crucial sectors within the GCC. He expressed gratitude to Qatar’s leadership and populace for hosting pivotal dialogues on collaboration.

He remarked, “Today’s convening underscores the robust industrial relations among GCC states, pivotal for fostering sustainable economic growth in the region. The GCC serves as a beacon of Arab and regional cooperation, driving sustainable economic development.”

“The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in the UAE is dedicated to fostering investment collaboration to spur growth and development in the industrial sector,” he continued. “This endeavor is underpinned by the deployment of cutting-edge technology to realize the national aspirations of GCC member states, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future.”

Dr. Al Jaber emphasized, “Our ministry prioritizes the promotion of advanced technology and sustainability in the national industrial landscape through various incentives and facilitative measures, including financial support. In doing so, we elevate the competitiveness of UAE products, enhance their quality, and amplify the UAE’s allure as a pivotal hub for industrial investments.”

Under the forward-looking vision of its leadership, the UAE has spearheaded a pioneering model for enhancing economic and developmental partnerships, seamlessly integrating the private sector into national blueprints for sustainable growth.

Industrial Collaboration

Dr. Al Jaber actively participated in the 52nd meeting of the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee. Discussions encompassed an array of topics, including the assessment of a unified definition of GCC standards, lists of goods under collective protection, the implementation of a unified strategy for industrial development, and decisions regarding customs tariffs on rebar and iron coil imports. Additionally, the meeting featured a presentation by the executive management of the GCC Customs Union Authority, shedding light on the challenges it confronts.

Standardization and Metrology

Dr. Al Jaber also attended the seventh meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Standardisation Affairs, where the Chairman of the GCC Standardisation Organisation (GSO) provided an overview of the organization’s progress and endeavors from September 2023 to March 2024.

The meeting deliberated on a memorandum concerning specifications and standards from the GSO’s presidency, pertaining to the adoption of 17 draft technical regulations and the conversion of 39 draft technical regulations into standardized specifications. Furthermore, it sanctioned the withdrawal of two draft technical regulations.

Ministers examined several memorandums from the GSO’s presidency, including its fiscal year 2023 accounts and updates on the GCC Accreditation Center (GAC). They also discussed a memorandum from the GSO’s presidency proposing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the GSO and the Russian Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology.

Members of the Ministerial Committee for Standardisation Affairs include Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Bahrain’s Minister of Industry and Commerce; Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce; Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Oman’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry; Abdullah Hamad Al-Joaan, Kuwait’s Minister of Trade and Industry; and Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC.

UAE Delegation

Accompanying Dr. Al Jaber were Omar Al Suwaidi, Under-Secretary of MoIAT, and Osama Amir Fadhel, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Industrial Accelerators Sector at MoIAT.