Hajraf: Volume of Intra-GCC Trade Does Not Live Up to Expectations

Gulf officials at the 55TH meeting of the Federation of GCC Chambers hosted by the UAE from June 7-9, 2021 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Gulf officials at the 55TH meeting of the Federation of GCC Chambers hosted by the UAE from June 7-9, 2021 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Hajraf: Volume of Intra-GCC Trade Does Not Live Up to Expectations

Gulf officials at the 55TH meeting of the Federation of GCC Chambers hosted by the UAE from June 7-9, 2021 (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Gulf officials at the 55TH meeting of the Federation of GCC Chambers hosted by the UAE from June 7-9, 2021 (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf said that the start of post-pandemic economic recovery requires joint efforts from both public and private sectors in GCC countries.

If Gulf states wished to preserve pre-pandemic gains and ensure their continued growth, public and private sectors must work together to advance the progress on the lifting of related restrictions and lockdowns, resuming commercial activities and reinforcing the surge in spending.

In his statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), on the sidelines of the 55th meeting of the Federation of GCC Chambers hosted by the UAE from June 7-9, 2021, Al Hajraf said that the value of trade between GCC countries exceeded $90 billion in 2019, which does not meet the aspirations of the GCC’s leaders and peoples.

There is an urgent need to encourage more trade between GCC countries, which constitute a market of over 58 million people with a combined GDP totaling some $1.590 trillion in 2019, he added while highlighting the private sector’s key role in increasing GCC trade.

He also affirmed the need to explore the challenges and obstacles facing the private sector in GCC countries, which are working together to overcome various challenges and create adequate appropriate solutions, to enhance the role of the private sector in supporting GCC exports.

He noted the ongoing cooperation between the GCC Secretariat-General and the Federation of GCC Chambers, which formed a high-level joint action team that holds regular meetings to discuss and monitor all related issues.

The previous consultative meeting of the heads of federations and chambers of GCC countries and ministers of commerce took place on Nov. 4, 2020, and there are ongoing meetings with members of the GCC Customs Union Authority, he noted.

Al-Hajraf further highlighted the keenness of the leaders of GCC countries to enhance their overall cooperation, most notably in economic and development areas and stressed the importance of prioritizing relevant strategic projects while expressing his appreciation for the significant efforts to hold the joint meeting.



Saudi Arabia: Mawani Reports Container Throughput Rises at Ports in June

Jeddah Islamic Seaport. Photo: Mawani
Jeddah Islamic Seaport. Photo: Mawani
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Saudi Arabia: Mawani Reports Container Throughput Rises at Ports in June

Jeddah Islamic Seaport. Photo: Mawani
Jeddah Islamic Seaport. Photo: Mawani

The ports supervised by the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) recorded an 18.66% increase in handled containers in June, reaching 696,839 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), compared to 587,261 TEUs during the same month in 2024.

Transshipment containers also recorded an increase of 35.94%, reaching 164,999 containers, compared to 121,377 containers during the same month last year.

Export containers posted a strong increase of 17.79%, reaching 268,587 TEUs, compared to 228,031 TEUs during the same month of the previous year. Import containers grew by 10.68%, totaling 263,253 TEUs, compared to 237,853 TEUs during June 2024.

Total cargo throughput — general cargo, solid bulk, and liquid bulk — rose by 1.74%, reaching 21,464,070 tons, compared to 21,096,774 tons during the same month last year. General cargo reached 922,351 tons, solid bulk cargo 4,229,665 tons, and liquid bulk cargo 16,312,054 tons. The ports also received 959,188 head of livestock, marking a 47.35% decrease compared to 1,821,863 head during the same month last year.

Maritime traffic rose by 7.56%, with 1,039 vessels handled, compared to 966 vessels during the same month last year. Passenger traffic increased by 42.34%, reaching 78,698 travelers, compared to 55,289 during the same month of 2024. However, vehicle handling declined by 25.42%, totaling 75,437 vehicles, compared to 101,146 vehicles during the same month of the previous year.

Finally, in May 2025, Mawani reported a 13% increase in handled container volumes, reaching 720,684 TEUs, compared to 639,736 TEUs in June 2024.