GCC Seeks Flexible Trade Routes To Better Shield Supply Chains

The 15th Consultative Meeting of Their Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Commerce and Industry and the Presidents of GCC Federations and Chambers of Commerce was held on Tuesday,in Manama.

The meeting underscored the importance of public-private sector cooperation across the GCC countries amid the current regional crisis.

Discussions highlighted how close coordination between governments and the private sector, represented by national chambers of commerce, has been instrumental in addressing challenges and safeguarding the GCC states’ economic gains. This collaborative framework has also contributed to overcoming many of the challenges facing the private sector, particularly in transportation and supply chains.

Qatar Chamber participated in the meeting with a delegation that included Board Members Ibtihaj Al Ahmadani, Mohammed bin Mahdi Al Ahbabi, andNasser bin Sulaiman Al Haidar.

In his remarks, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani, Chairman of the Federation of GCC Chambers and Chairman of Qatar Chamber, stressed the importance of fostering Gulf integration and building a more resilient trade and logistics system capable of responding to regional and international disruptions. He noted that this would help ensure the continued flow of goods, safeguard markets, and enhance private sector competitiveness.

He commended the General Secretariat of the GCC, headed by Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC, for its efforts to coordinate with the Federation of GCC Chambers and strengthen economic cooperation and joint action.

Sheikh Khalifa noted that the meeting comes amid rapid global economic and geopolitical changes affecting trade, transport, and supply chains, underscoring the need for stronger GCC coordination to safeguard economic security.

He said that swift action by GCC countries, in cooperation with the private sector, has helped mitigate these challenges and maintain the continuity of supplies, stressing the need to sustain efforts to ensure uninterrupted commercial activity across GCC markets.

He further stressed that the key lesson from recent developments is that the security of Gulf trade depends not on a single route or port, but on the ability of the GCC trade system to quickly shift between routes, ports, and markets.

Sheikh Khalifa said the 15th Consultative Meeting provides an opportunity to strengthen government-private sector dialogue and develop practical initiatives to safeguard trade and supply chains, enhance competitiveness, facilitate the movement of goods, reduce logistics costs, and strengthen GCC trade resilience.