The undersecretaries and heads of statistics departments of the GCC States began here on Saturday their 26th meeting at the GCC General Secretariat headquarters. Addressing the opening session, Saudi Director General of Central Department of Statistics and Information Mhana bin AbdulKarim said that the meeting aimed at improving GCC statistics work and strengthen its role. He also highlighted contribution made by the Undersecretaries and Heads of Statistics committee and its role to ensure success to many projects, like joint Gulf market, the issue of unifying currency, and requirements on Gulf Custom Union. He also briefed participants on statistics recommendations by the committee, timetable, and procedures necessary to prepare a general strategic unified statistic for unifying statistical methods, including the approval of a statistical Center, approved to be in the Omani capital. The two-day meeting is to discuss a number of statistical issues.