Bumped~1 February, 2010
Qatar to propose common GCC vision
Qatar will propose a common GCC vision for the holistic development of the region’s economy, General Secretariat for Development Planning director general Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor bin Jassim al-Thani said. Qatar intends to propose a vision for the economic development of the Gulf Co-operation Council region, QNA quoted Sheikh Hamad as saying.
Sheikh Hamad unveiled this plan during a question and answer session following presentations on “Strategies for Diversification in the GCC” at the Qatar Economic Development Conference, which opened here on Tuesday.
“Based on the statistics and researches, we feel an integrated approach and vision for the common good of GCC states is vital,” Sheikh Hamad said.
Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) chief operating officer Kamal Ahmed endorsed the proposal and said: “We cannot have one GCC country lagging behind. All have to develop together.
“Soon we will hear about GCC bloc in the future, similar to groups of Asian countries engaging in business and trade with common goals,” Ahmed said. Standard Chartered Bank chief economist London Gerard Lyons said one needs to co-operate with neighbouring countries besides competing.
Most speakers and participants at the conference reiterated the view that co-operation and integration at the macro level is vital for the overall development of the region.
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