Manama: As part of the Kingdom of Bahrain's presidency of the 46th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Supreme Council, Shaikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, chaired the 63rd meeting of the Technical Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Standardisation Organisation, held in Saudi Arabia.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Shaikh Hamad bin Salman highlighted the importance of continuing coordination and cooperation among member states to develop the GCC standardisation system. This development aims to harmonise standards and technical regulations, raise the quality and safety of products and services, facilitate intra-GCC trade, and enhance consumer protection in GCC countries.
Shaikh Hamad bin Salman explained that the meeting's outcomes would directly contribute to facilitating intra-GCC trade, enhancing the competitiveness of Gulf industries, and enabling regulatory authorities to apply international best practices. These practices aim to achieve higher standards of quality and safety and strengthen consumer protection across GCC countries.
The council discussed technical and regulatory issues related to developing the GCC standardisation system. Discussions included following up on the implementation of previous decisions and reviewing the outcomes of GCC committees specialising in standards, metrology, laboratories, conformity assessment and designation. The council also reviewed the results of the tyre market survey project in member states and discussed the development of the GCC conformity certification system.
The council also deliberated on initiatives aimed at enhancing technical and digital integration among GCC countries. This included developments in electronic connectivity between GCC systems, the development of mechanisms for exchanging technical information, and strengthening the Organisation's international ties.