Manama:Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), took part in the launch of the Made in GCC Forum and Exhibition 2026. The event, hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, was held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and inaugurated by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the forum's first edition is taking place at Exhibition World Bahrain. It is organized by the GCC General Secretariat and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, focusing on the theme 'Building a More Integrated, Competitive and Future-Ready GCC Industrial Economy.'
Albudaiwi expressed his gratitude to His Majesty the King for his patronage and to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for inaugurating the forum. He also thanked the Government of Bahrain and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce for their role in hosting and organizing the event.
He emphasized that Made in GCC 2026 is a reflection of the GCC leaders' vision, highlighting the significance of industry in economic diversification. Albudaiwi noted that the success of GCC economies relies on their production and export capabilities, as well as their available resources.
The Secretary General conveyed that the event underscores the importance of GCC products being the preferred choice for consumers and investors, both within the GCC and globally. He highlighted the efforts in establishing unified specifications and standards to facilitate the movement of goods, protect GCC products, promote fair competition, and enhance supply chain integration.
Albudaiwi pointed out that the GCC is home to over 22,000 factories, employing more than 1.7 million workers, with manufacturing contributing 13% to the region's gross domestic product.
The role of the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee in promoting industrial integration was also highlighted by Albudaiwi, citing achievements such as harmonizing industrial legislation, adopting the GCC Industrial Strategy 2022-2030, supporting national products, and collectively protecting GCC industries.
Regarding industrial investment, Albudaiwi mentioned the launch of a project targeting 20 joint industrial investment opportunities within the GCC, with five opportunities already completed and approved by the Industrial Cooperation Committee.
He referenced the 2025 Competitive Industrial Performance Index by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, noting the rankings of GCC countries, with the United Arab Emirates at 32nd globally, followed by Saudi Arabia at 34th, Qatar at 48th, Kuwait at 53rd, Oman at 58th, and Bahrain at 63rd. GCC countries also occupy six of the top seven positions among Arab countries, with two states surpassing the global average on the index.
The forum is set to cover various topics, including GCC market access policies, industrial integration, self-sufficiency, supply chain resilience, financing, industrial partnerships, smart factories, open innovation, workforce development, and industrial infrastructure.
Albudaiwi expressed his hopes that Made in GCC 2026 would lead to clear messages, actionable recommendations, and tangible partnerships among manufacturers, investors, financing institutions, and knowledge institutions, ultimately enhancing the competitiveness of the GCC industry and the standing of the 'Made in GCC' brand.