Gulf states activate emergency plan to ensure flow of goods amid geopolitical tensions

RIYADH: The Gulf States, through the Federation of GCC Chambers, have activated an emergency plan in coordination with the Chambers of Commerce in the GCC countries to monitor the flow of trade and goods between member states.

This is part of joint efforts to ensure the continuity of supply chains and maintain the stability of Gulf markets amid the current geopolitical tensions in the region, according to the Secretary-General of the FGCCC, Saleh bin Hamad Al-Sharqi.

Al-Sharqi told Al-Eqtisadiah that the emergency plan relies on direct coordination between the Federation, the Gulf chambers, and the Customs Union Authority to monitor the movement of goods and products through land ports and seaports, identify any challenges that may affect the smooth flow of intra-regional trade, and work on addressing them swiftly to ensure the continued flow of goods and meet the needs of Gulf markets.

He pointed out that the plan’s focus is on facilitating logistical and customs procedures, in addition to providing practical proposals and solutions to address any bottlenecks that may arise in transport or shipping, thereby contributing to reducing the transit time of goods and accelerating trade between the member states.

The plan also focuses on facilitating logistical and customs procedures, in addition to providing practical proposals and solutions to address any bottlenecks that may arise in transport or shipping, thereby contributing to reducing the transit time of goods and accelerating trade between the member states.

According to data from the Gulf Statistical Center obtained by Al-Eqtisadiah, intra-Gulf trade has witnessed significant growth in recent years, particularly in national non-oil commodity exports.

Their value rose from approximately $28.3 billion in 2020 to about $44.9 billion in 2024, achieving growth of nearly 58 percent.

This gain reflects the increasing ability of Gulf products to meet the needs of markets within the GCC countries and enhances the level of self-sufficiency of the Gulf States in such circumstances and tensions that cause disruptions in global supply chains.

Source: ARAB NEWS