GCC Secretary-General Details Economic Integration Progress to Strengthen Global Trade

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi detailed the council’s progress toward regional economic integration and its expanding role in international diplomacy during a recent briefing on the bloc’s strategic trajectory. The Secretary-General confirmed that the six-member council is prioritizing the completion of the GCC Customs Union and the GCC Common Market, with a target implementation date set for 2025. Unified Economic Framework The Council is currently accelerating several high-priority infrastructure and regulatory projects. Central to this effort is the GCC Railway project, designed to link all member states via a unified rail network to facilitate the movement of goods and passengers. Al-Budaiwi noted that the unified tourist visa, recently approved under the name 'GCC Grand Tours,' is expected to streamline travel within the region, mirroring the functionality of the Schengen system. Economic data indicates that intra-GCC trade has seen steady growth, supported by the removal of internal barriers. The Secretary-General stated that the focus remains on harmonizing financial policies to provide a stable environment for foreign direct investment (FDI). These…