HRH Premier calls for enhancing GCC IT cooperation

Manama, Mar. 22 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has stressed that every Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) gathering is good and adds a new brick to the GCC solid structure. HRH the Prime Minister pointed out that GCC cooperation in the field of information technology (IT) has become necessary in the midst of the IT revolution which, despite its advantages, poses a threat to all fields, particularly security, which, he said, requires GCC IT complementarity to counter threats and safeguard the region against risks to its security, stability and development. HRH Premier warned that the region is targeted in its security and stability, noting that IT is one of the gateways through which the region can be targeted. "However, through holding GCC meetings, and cooperating at the bilateral and multilateral levels, we will confront all dangers, and dedicate the positive aspects of IT to serving the region's security, and pushing its development and progress further," he said. HRH Premier made the statements while receiving, at his palace in Riffa today, Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, who introduced to him the members of the GCC e-Government Ministerial Committee who are holding their fifth meeting in Bahrain. The Prime Minister urged to adapt information technology to foster GCC rapprochement and cooperation at the economic level given IT's role in facilitating bilateral trade and increasing the volume of trade between member states. HRH Premier stressed the importance of enhancing GCC cooperation in technical fields, being the catalyst for joint economic development that benefit all the regions of the country, wishing the meeting every success in adopting initiatives that serve the GCC in the field of IT. While reviewing GCC issues with the audience, HRH the Prime Minister lauded Saudi Arabia's weight and distinguished status at the Asian and international levels, which, he said, was reflected in auspicious welcome accorded to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during his Asian tour, and the great interest in the visit of the Saudi Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier and Defence Minister, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud to the US. GCC e-Government Ministerial Committee meeting participants expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to HRH the Prime Minister for the facilities provided by Bahrain to ensure the success of the committee meeting. They also hailed Bahrain's advanced strides in the field of information technology.