GCC ministerial meeting condones GCC trade policies

It is imperative that GCC states unify their trade policies in order to create an effective trading bloc with well-respected clout both regionally and internationally, said Kuwait's Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Madaj, in a speech opening the GCC trade committee meeting here on Wednesday. Furthermore, he told the committee, made up of GCC ministers of commerce and trade, that intra-GCC trade had to be encouraged more so as to bring to fruition the agreed on concept of the establishment of a common GCC market. He noted that among the topics, being discussed at today's meeting, is the recommendation to agree on a draft law unifying consumer protection apparatuses in GCC countries and also the recommendation regarding the GCC convening of a common trade exhibition to be hosted by the UAE at a later date. Today's meeting is held regularly by the GCC trade committee where relevant economic and trade issues are discussed ahead of potentially including them on the roster of a more expansive meeting to which heads of GCC states will be invited