Finance and National Economy Minister and Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister hold press conference

Manama, Nov.7 (BNA): Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said that the 114th meeting of the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee and the the joint meeting with GCC Ministers of Commerce build on Gulf achievements across all fields, including the financial and economic sectors, which contributed to supporting development in member countries. This came as he held a press conference, along with the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani on the sidelines of the meeting of 114th meeting of the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee. The Minister of Finance and National Economy said that the meeting discussed the role of the customs union in support intra commerce between the GCC countries, focusing on negotiations regarding free trade agreements between the GCC states and other countries and economic blocs. He announced the inauguration of the electronic window (GCC Takamul) which aims to address queries, remarks and proposals regarding the GCC common market which reflects progress towards achieving the Gulf economic citizenship. Addressing the press conference, Al Zayani said that these joint meetings represent an opportunity to exchange ides and aspirations that contribute to supporting tourism strategies in the GCC member countries. He stressed continued cooperation through GCC programmes aimed to support economic development, pointing out the GCC countries seek to usher in a new phase by signing free trade agreements as a unified economic bloc. He noted the start of free trade negotiations between the GCC countries and the United Kingdom, adding that Bahrain has launched a tourism strategy as part of the economic recovery plan. The Minister of Finance and National Economy highlighted challenges, including the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), stressing the importance of continuing constructive coordination and cooperation between the GCC member countries.