GCC ministers mull industrial integration

Industry ministers of states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) discussed here Wednesday in their 36th meeting the hindrances obstructing industrial integration among Gulf nations as well as a number of plans to develop the industrial sector. "The conferees have mulled several key measures to upgrade the GCC industrial sector," Fahad Al-Mutairi, deputy director general of the Public Authority for Industry's Standards and Industrial Services Affairs (KOWSMD) and member of the Kuwaiti delegation to the GCC meeting, told KUNA. "This included an industry input exemption resolution," he said. Al-Mutairi expected that the resolution would have great impacts on the GCC industries as it will cut the production cost and increase its competitiveness. "The meeting also discussed the unified GCC strategy for industrial sector development," he added. The conferees have studied a proposal to give preference to GCC industrial products. "But they have decided to adjourn a decision in this regard till the GCC finance ministers consider it," Al-Mutairi said. The participants have also reviewed several reports and recommendations referred to them by the GCC Industry Ministries Undersecretaries.