Adoption of 38 Gulf Technical Regulations at the 4th of the Ministerial Committee for Standardization Affairs
The Ministerial Committee for Standardization Affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council held its fourth meeting on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at the headquarters of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) General Secretariat in Riyadh.
The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Minister of Commerce and Minister of Information in charge of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Chairman of the current session).
It was attended by His Excellency Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Excellency Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the State of Qatar, His Excellency Mohammed bin Mikhlif Al Anzi, Acting Undersecretary of Commerce and Industry of the State of Kuwait, and His Excellency Mr. Mohammad Mohammad Hizam Al-Ashwal, Minister of Industry and Trade in the Republic of Yemen, and the participation of His Excellency Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf, GCC Secretary-General, and His Excellency Mr. Saud bin Nasser Al-Khusaibi, GSO’s President.
At the start of the meeting, His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Minister of Information in charge of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed the participants in the meeting, wishing them a pleasant stay in their second country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He underlined the importance of standardization activities in enhancing integration and cooperation among GCC member states to pave the way for accomplishing economic growth and facilitating the movement of intra-regional trade and doing business. He hoped that the efforts of GSO and Standardization Bodies in the GCC countries will contribute to achieving quality infrastructure and protecting the Gulf consumer.
The Ministerial Committee reviewed a visual presentation by the GSO’s President on GSO activities and achievements during the period from October 2021 to September 2022, in the areas of standards, metrology, conformity, building of technical capacities, strengthening regional and international relations, transferring of knowledge and exchanging experiences with all parties concerned with standardization activities.
The Committee praised GSO efforts in enhancing cooperation among the GCC states in various standardization activities.
The Committee also reviewed a report on the extent of implementation of the GSO strategic plan for the year 2022, and discussed a number of topics on the agenda of its fourth meeting. It took decisions and recommendations in support of joint Gulf action, notably the approval and adoption of (38) Draft Gulf Technical Regulations as Gulf Technical Regulations.
It also approved the GSO Final Account for the fiscal year 2021.
It is worthwhile mentioning that GSO exercises its activities in various disciplines of standardization, and aims to unify the different standardization activities and follow up their implementation and commitment to them in cooperation and coordination with the standardization bodies in the GCC countries, in a way that contributes to the development of GCC intra-trade, consumer protection, environment and public health, and the promotion of Gulf industries and products to support the Gulf economy.
