Manama: Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), participated in the fourth annual ceremony of the Smart Gulf Investor Award, an initiative of the Mulim GCC Investment Awareness Programme, held in Saudi Arabia. He said that the Mulim GCC Investment Awareness Programme provides a practical model for joint Gulf action on investment awareness by integrating the efforts of relevant authorities across GCC states, exchanging expertise, and delivering financial and investment literacy to various segments of society.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Secretary General thanked King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for Saudi Arabia's sponsorship of the award and the facilities and support provided to ensure the success of the GCC's work. He also commended the continuous support and attention given to joint Gulf action by the leaders of the GCC member states.
Al Budaiwi said that rapid developments in the financial sector and the growing use of modern technologies and digital platforms have provided wider access to investment markets and products, while also giving rise to a greater variety of risks, fraudulent practices, and unreliable information. He stressed the need to develop informed investors who can identify opportunities and risks and make sound decisions.
He emphasized that promoting financial literacy and investment awareness is a key pillar in building Gulf communities better equipped to make sound financial decisions, enhancing the efficiency and stability of financial markets, protecting investors, and strengthening confidence in these markets.
The Secretary General noted that GCC states continue to develop their financial markets and strengthen regulatory frameworks to keep pace with economic and technological developments, support economic diversification, and enhance the region's attractiveness to local and international investors. He said the market capitalisation of GCC financial markets reached approximately $4 trillion by the end of June 2026, while traded shares amounted to around 228 billion, with trading value approaching $307 billion.
He congratulated the winners of the Smart Gulf Investor Award, stressing that the award goes beyond recognising and celebrating creativity, contributing to the broader Gulf objective of building a more financially aware society capable of managing its resources, shaping its financial future, and turning financial knowledge into awareness, behaviour, and sustainable practice.
The Secretary General thanked the Capital Market Authority of Saudi Arabia for hosting the ceremony and supporting the Mulim programme and Smart Gulf Investor Award, as well as all participating and partner entities across GCC states. He expressed hope that the award would continue to promote awareness, establish a culture of responsible investment, and contribute to building a Gulf generation that is more aware, confident, and capable of shaping its future.