His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stated that the Customs Union Authority has a vital and important role in strengthening the joint economic work, as well as it has great responsibilities to achieve the highest stages of economic integration among the Council's countries, and to overcome the challenges that hinder the completion of the Customs Union, in accordance with the directives of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the Council's countries to work constantly to achieve the hopes and aspirations of the citizens of the Council's countries, and to deal efficiently and competently with regional and international developments.
This came during his Excellency's patronage and attendance of the opening ceremony of the headquarters of the GCC Customs Union Authority with the presence of His Excellency Engineer Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Customs Union Authority on Monday, April 14, 2025, in the city of Riyadh.
At the beginning of his speech, His Excellency presented his highest thanks, appreciation and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister for the unlimited support that the General Secretariat of the GCC, the organisations, bodies and offices affiliated to it that are hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia receive, which enabled them to achieve great accomplishments and gains, and contributed to the Council’s countries reaching distinguished ranks in all fields, mirroring their important position at the regional and international levels.
Moreover, His Excellency the Secretary General also pointed out that this achievement would not have been possible without Allah's grace, then the guidance and blessing of the leaders of the Council’s countries.
"The GCC system has achieved and continues to accomplish many successes at all levels, and the experience of the Customs Union of the GCC countries is considered one of the successful experiences at the regional and international levels. After agreeing to establish the Customs Union in 2003, the Council’s countries became a single customs wall towards the outside world," His Excellency said.
"Based on the belief of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the Council’s countries in this strategic project, the Supreme Council issued a resolution at its forty-second session (December 2021, Riyadh) to activate the work of the Customs Union Authority and grant it full powers to perform its tasks, in accordance with best practices that support the completion of all the requirements of the Customs Union," he added.
Moreover, His Excellency praised the Authority's efforts since its establishment and its work on many joint customs projects, to implement the requirements of the Customs Union, unify customs procedures and policies in the member states, work on digitising joint customs work and directly supervise it, and coordinate with the concerned government agencies in the member states in this field, which has enhanced the increase in the volume of intra-trade between the Council's countries, elevated the competitiveness of Gulf companies, and reduced the cost of production.
At the conclusion of his speech, His Excellency the Secretary General expressed his aspiration for the Authority to achieve its future goals, which are represented in improving the experience of beneficiaries in an integrated digital environment and continuing to attract modern technologies and adopt concepts and tools in accordance with the best international practices.
