Manama: The Kingdom of Bahrain hosted the 18th meeting of the Executive Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council Customs Union Authority, chaired by Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Jamal, President of the General Authority of Customs of the State of Qatar. The meeting was attended by heads and directors-general of customs authorities and administrations from GCC states, as well as members of the Executive Council.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Customs President, praised the efforts of the GCC Customs Union Authority and the progress made towards completing the requirements for establishing the Customs Union. He emphasized the GCC leaders' commitment to supporting the Customs Union and enhancing integration among member states. Al Khalifa highlighted the role of the GCC Customs Union Authority in unifying customs policies and promoting digital transformation to facilitate regional and international customs cooperation.
The Executive Council discussed the necessary steps for implementing the Customs Union requirements and reviewed the progress of developing the customs data exchange platform and related technical projects. The council also examined operational activities and addressed topics related to joint Gulf customs cooperation, including resolutions from the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee, plans for future workshops, and strategies to combat harmful practices in international trade.