Kuwait city: Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Industry, Shemlan Al-Juhaidli, affirmed on Wednesday that the industrial sector has become a prime stimulant for economic diversity and a pivotal factor for building robust economies. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address international challenges and capitalize on opportunities presented by the industrial revolution and modern technologies. Al-Juhaidli made these remarks during the inaugural session of the 47th meeting of the GCC undersecretaries of industries.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the meeting serves as a continuation of the collaborative Arab efforts in the industrial sector, which have been growing consistently under the leadership's vision prioritizing industries for sustainable economic development. The session was a precursor to the 55th meeting of the GCC industrial cooperation committee.
GCC Secretary General Assistant for Economic and Development Affairs, Khaled Al-Snaidi, highlighted that the industrial sector contributed 12.7 percent to the GCC's gross domestic product in the first quarter of 2025. This growth underscores the sector's role in enhancing non-oil sectors and diversifying the economic framework of GCC states. Furthermore, the GCC states showed significant progress in the 2024 international industrial competition index, reflecting their technological, innovative, productive capacities, and commercial performance. The GCC countries ranked 60th globally in terms of manufacturing value and manufactured exports.
The GCC countries are adopting a comprehensive approach to coordinate industrial activities through a unified industrial development strategy. This includes unifying relevant legislations, combating dumping, and implementing precautionary measures. Al-Snaidi noted that these efforts aim to establish a competitive and sustainable industrial sector that enhances economic security and generates quality jobs. The focus is on increasing the industrial sector's contribution to the economy, advancing industries, and stimulating investments in manufacturing and clean technologies.
Participants in the session addressed several issues, including enhancing Gulf industrial integration, establishing criteria for nationalizing domestic products, and strengthening the connection between resources and industrial capabilities to reduce reliance on external revenue.