GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi Announces Over 27,600 Approved Gulf Standard Specifications

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, announced that over 27,600 Gulf standard specifications and technical regulations have been approved. This development aids trade, ensures product safety, and boosts the Gulf's investment appeal. Albudaiwi highlighted this during the eighth GCC Ministerial Committee for Standardisation Affairs meeting in Doha, chaired by Qatari Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani.

Albudaiwi expressed gratitude to Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Qatar for hosting the meeting and supporting GCC initiatives. He acknowledged the facilities provided by Qatar to ensure the success of GCC's work. The support from member states' leaders for joint Gulf efforts was also appreciated.

The establishment of the GCC Standardisation Organisation is a key strategic move to boost integration among member states. This aligns with objectives outlined in the economic agreement signed by the GCC. The organisation's unified outputs, including standard specifications and technical regulations, play a crucial role in harmonising technical requirements for intra-GCC trade.

These outputs facilitate seamless goods movement between member countries and support Gulf products' growth in regional and global markets. They also protect consumers from harmful products and help preserve health and environmental standards.

The Ministerial Committee for Standardisation Affairs is set to review recommendations from the Technical Council. These recommendations aim to enhance the GCC Standardisation Organisation's capabilities, improve its procedures, and support national standardization bodies' technical capacities.

Albudaiwi stated: "This is a testament to the volume and outcomes of joint work between the organization and national standardization bodies, encouraging us to take pride in our achievements and motivating us to continue supporting the standardization authority to achieve the economic goals sought by the GCC."

The meeting underscored how these efforts contribute significantly to standardizing technical requirements across various sectors. This not only facilitates trade but also supports marketing Gulf products globally while ensuring consumer protection.

The ongoing collaboration between GCC member states through such meetings strengthens their collective ability to address challenges effectively. By fostering a unified approach towards standardization, they aim to achieve broader economic goals beneficial for all member nations.

With inputs from SPA