Qatar Hosts 4th Consultative Meeting of GCC Ministers of Commerce and Industry with Gulf Entrepreneurs.

Doha: The State of Qatar hosted the 4th consultative meeting of Their Excellencies Ministers of Commerce and Industry of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with a group of Gulf entrepreneurs. The meeting, held on Wednesday, was chaired by HE Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani, with the participation of HE GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. According to Qatar News Agency, this meeting aimed to enhance communication and cooperation between the ministries of commerce and industry and entrepreneurs and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the GCC countries, by providing an opportunity for dialogue and exchange of views and opinions. In his opening speech, HE Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani welcomed Their Excellencies the Ministers and Gulf entrepreneurs in the State of Qatar, affirming that the meeting reflects the interest of the GCC countries in supporting entrepreneurship and motivating SMEs to enhance their contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) as one of the pillars of economic growth. He pointed to Qatar's commitment to enhancing economic and trade cooperation with its fraternal GCC countries. His Excellency explained that the consultative meetings, since their launch in 2019, have achieved tangible results, most notably enhancing the opportunities of GCC companies in local markets, providing facilities for entrepreneurs, and contributing to promoting the exchange of available investment opportunities. The meetings also contributed to achieving positive progress in the field of facilitating export procedures between the GCC countries, which requires continuing work on studying the unification of GCC commercial laws and legislation, His Excellency added. The consultative meeting included discussions on the challenges facing entrepreneurs in accessing GCC markets, available facilities, financing, and capital issues. The meeting also witnessed the interaction between Their Excellencies and Highnesses, the Ministers of Commerce and Industry, and entrepreneurs, during which their inquiries were answered. The consultative meeting with entrepreneurs in the GCC countries, which is held annually since 2019 in conjunction with the meetings of the Trade Cooperation Committee, sheds light on issues and challenges of concern to entrepreneurs and owners of SMEs, and discusses ways to support GCC companies' expansion in Gulf and global markets, provide facilities, and the leading investment opportunities in the GCC countries.