GCC regional economic and industrial integration

Business leaders and officials in the Gulf region are advocating for increased economic and industrial integration among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states. At the ‘Made in the Gulf’ forum, participants emphasized transitioning from isolated national successes toward an integrated regional production system to build competitive global value chains. Key objectives include localizing strategic sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food, and advanced technologies, while unifying industrial specifications to create a unified market by 2035.

Following these discussions, GCC commerce ministers and industry leaders met in Manama, Bahrain, to further strengthen the dialogue between policymakers and the private sector. The meeting focused on creating an ‘integrated empowerment ecosystem’ to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Efforts are directed toward improving access to finance, facilitating business establishment, and developing legislative frameworks to help SMEs expand into larger, competitive companies, particularly within advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence.