Gulf Meeting Reviews Challenges of Economic Integration

Meeting of the Preparatory Committee of the GCC Economic and Development Affairs Authority in Salalah, Sultanate of Oman (Omani News)
Meeting of the Preparatory Committee of the GCC Economic and Development Affairs Authority in Salalah, Sultanate of Oman (Omani News)
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Gulf Meeting Reviews Challenges of Economic Integration

Meeting of the Preparatory Committee of the GCC Economic and Development Affairs Authority in Salalah, Sultanate of Oman (Omani News)
Meeting of the Preparatory Committee of the GCC Economic and Development Affairs Authority in Salalah, Sultanate of Oman (Omani News)

An economic gathering held in Salalah, in the Sultanate of Oman on Wednesday, discussed key challenges and opportunities in economic integration between the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The permanent ministerial preparatory committee of the GCC Economic and Development Affairs Authority held its fifth meeting to review the decisions issued by the GCC Supreme Council in its 43rd session, which was held in December 2022, on achieving economic unity.

Omani Minister of Economy Said bin Mohammed Al-Saqri said that intra-regional exports in the GCC countries rose by 13.4 percent to reach $83.4 billion in 2021, compared to $73.5 billion in 2020.

Al-Saqri, who chaired the meeting, pointed to the ongoing efforts to develop cooperation, coordination and integration among member states, stressing that the economies of the GCC countries witnessed further improvement and recovery and were able to contain the inflationary pressures that worsened around the world during the year 2022.

The meeting discussed the latest developments in the action plan for building the Gulf economic model and its mechanism, and the proposed timetable for its implementation.

Meeting of the Gulf Trade and Industry Undersecretaries

Also on Wednesday, Salalah hosted the 57th preparatory meeting of the undersecretaries of the ministries of commerce, and the 43rd preparatory meeting of the undersecretaries of the ministries of industry for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, headed by Dr. Saleh bin Said Masan, Undersecretary of the Omani Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Trade and Industry.

Participants discussed the main challenges facing intra-trade between the GCC countries and reviewed developments in trade laws, as well as the means to facilitate trade exchange.

The undersecretaries of the GCC ministries of industry focused on finding a unified definition for the Gulf national product and its standards, and the executive regulations for the Unified Industrial Regulation Law system, in addition to addressing the challenges facing the sector.



WEF, GCF to Establish Global Center for Cyber Economics in Riyadh

The Center’s research and studies will also provide robust tools for formulating policies and strategies to safeguard the global economy while contributing to enhancing cybersecurity around the world - SPA
The Center’s research and studies will also provide robust tools for formulating policies and strategies to safeguard the global economy while contributing to enhancing cybersecurity around the world - SPA
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WEF, GCF to Establish Global Center for Cyber Economics in Riyadh

The Center’s research and studies will also provide robust tools for formulating policies and strategies to safeguard the global economy while contributing to enhancing cybersecurity around the world - SPA
The Center’s research and studies will also provide robust tools for formulating policies and strategies to safeguard the global economy while contributing to enhancing cybersecurity around the world - SPA

The Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) announced the signing of an agreement to establish the Center for Cyber Economics (CCE) in Riyadh, during the WEF Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, Switzerland.
GCF and WEF aim to establish the Center as a global platform that addresses the economic dimension of cybersecurity. The Center will advance knowledge to enable decision-makers worldwide to build a deep understanding of the close relationship between economics and cybersecurity. The Center’s research and studies will also provide robust tools for formulating policies and strategies to safeguard the global economy while contributing to enhancing cybersecurity around the world, SPA reported.
Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority Eng. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Mazyed, acting on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Global Cybersecurity Forum, noted that the establishment of the Center – a collaboration between GCF and WEF – forms part of cybersecurity efforts in Saudi Arabia that have culminated in its world-leading position in the sector. The Kingdom’s contributions to the cybersecurity sector at local, regional, and global levels have gained the Saudi model of cybersecurity recognition for its successful and pioneering approach.
Al-Mazyed added that the development of the Center for Cyber Economics sits within the framework of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s aims to build global platforms and launch pioneering global initiatives in various fields related to the sector, including the establishment of GCF as an institute by Royal Decree in 2023.
GCF aims to push knowledge boundaries, build the foundations for cooperation in Cyberspace, and leverage opportunities within the cybersecurity sector to enhance cyber resilience and enable prosperity around the world.