Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah called on the international community to implement "an immediate ceasefire, providing international protection for innocent civilians and ensuring the opening of safe corridors and the arrival of urgent humanitarian aid".

With 93% of Saudi workers considering generative AI essential, alongside 95% in the Middle East and 79% globally, the region's prioritization of AI is evident.

New Delhi, UAE - The number of Indians living in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has crossed nine million, India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, told Parliament yesterday. Indians are employed in a wide range of professions from highly qualified fintech, healthcare, information technology, engineering...

GCC tourism's GDP contribution will rise from $130 billion in 2023 to over $340 billion by 2030, driven by aviation growth and infrastructure investments.

The current low share of renewables in the energy mix of GCC nations increases the potential for significant investment in this sector, says a report.

Regional market trends, IPOs, geopolitical issues and crude oil prices affected the flow of foreign money in the region, said a report by Kamco Invest.

For the first time in its 43-year history, the bloc has set a strategic vision that prioritizes diplomacy and dialogue over force to boost regional security and stability.

GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi calls for visa-free travel to Europe, aiming to simplify the journey for Gulf citizens to the continent.

The region pins hope on the new Productivity Potential Index that offers a forward-looking framework, incorporating environmental, health, and innovation factors.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday said he will make efforts to achieve the unity of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as well as the stability and prosperity of their people. Mohammed bin Salman, who is also the prime minister of Saudi Arabia said...

DOHA, QATAR - The total number of inbound visitors to the country reached about 519 thousand in December 2023, recording a monthly increase of 31.9 percent (compared to November 2023), and an annual decrease by 15.4 percent (compared to December 2022). The new issue of Qatar Monthly Statistics bulletin, released...

With both nations offering substantial markets and supportive environment for innovation, startups are exploring new opportunities in the Kingdom.

WASHINGTON, US - The World Bank expected the UAE's real GDP to grow by 3.4 percent in 2023, rising to 3.7 percent in 2024 and to 3.8 percent in 2025. According to the Global Economic Prospects report released on Tuesday, the World Bank forecast the growth in the Gulf Cooperation...

With both nations offering substantial markets and supportive environment for innovation, startups are exploring new opportunities in the Kingdom.

Riyad, Saudi Arabia -- Key regional players have welcomed the agreement – involving a comprehensive set of measures aimed at establishing a ceasefire, improving living conditions, and resuming political dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) – reached by the warring parties in Yemen.  Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, the...

"The GCC has all the potential to become a strong economic alliance capable of asserting itself on the global economic map. This potential is attributed to its natural resources, distinctive geographical location, and robust relations with numerous global economic entities and alliances," adds Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim.

The strategic partnerships, including substantial financial support from UAE and Qatar, mark a new era in Türkiye-GCC ties, promising to significantly boost bilateral trade.

Doha, Qatar - Qatar's ruler hit out at "shameful" international inaction over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza as he opened a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Doha on Tuesday. "It is shameful for the international community to allow this heinous crime to continue for nearly two months, during which the systematic...

MANAMA, BAHRAIN – Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi has said that the hosting of the 19th Manama Dialogue here reinforces the country's leading role in analyzing key political, defense and security issues in the Middle East and beyond. The conference brings together global senior...

Muscat -– In a significant stride towards enhanced regional cooperation, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has announced progress on the implementation of a unified tourist visa, marking a new milestone in the collective achievements of the member states. The announcement was made by the GCC Secretary General, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi,...

ABU DHABI, UAE – Emirati Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri has announced that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will roll out a unified Gulf tourist visa within the next two years which will grant travelers, access to six countries. Al Marri said the seventh meeting of...

Guangzhou, China - China is committed to enhancing trade and investment ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as part of their efforts to advance Belt and Road cooperation to a new level of higher quality and development, China's Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao, said on Sunday, Xinhua reported. The...

The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) also called for the release of some 200 hostages held by Hamas, as well as the restoration of basic services for Palestinians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The bloc's initiative aims for a customs union by 2024, fostering competition and ensuring the smooth flow of goods between Gulf countries through joint economic action.

The bloc's initiative aims for a customs union by 2024, fostering competition and ensuring the smooth flow of goods between Gulf countries through joint economic action.

Dubai, UAE -- The economies of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are expected to grow by 1 percent in 2023, down from 7.3 percent in 2022, according to the World Bank. In its recent report, the bank said the Gulf economies combined will grow by 3.6 percent in the year...

WASHINGTON, US - The growth of the economies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is expected to fall sharply this year, the World Bank said. The region’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to fall to 1.9 percent in 2023 from 6 percent in 2022, due to oil...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi said that preliminary free trade agreement (FTA) between the GCC and Pakistan will help strengthen trade relations and economic cooperation with countries and international blocs. The statement was made during the signing ceremony of the preliminary...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA –  Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi visited the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) headquarters. The secretary general was received by Dima Al Yahya, Secretary General of DCO. Albudaiwi said that the DCO plays an important role in Saudi Arabia, in employing technology for...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Gulf Federation for Electronic Sports was established Thursday on the sidelines of the Next World Forum, to support, nurture, and develop Gulf talents through annual tournaments hosted by all countries. The launch was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi...

Despite a decline in FDI inflows in the past few years, GCC countries remain optimistic as they expect strong economic growth in 2023 and beyond.

Tokyo, Japan -- Japan is preparing to hold a foreign ministers' meeting with the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Saudi Arabia in early September, a report said. Japan's Kyodo News said the meeting comes as Japan aims to strengthen relations with oil-producing countries in the Middle...

Almost half of Arab youth are keen on starting their own businesses in the next five years, signaling a significant preference shift from government to private sector jobs.

Both countries attract a high level of foreign investment, which provides capital for their banking sectors. The UAE is the second-largest FDI recipient in the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia is the largest one in the region.

ABU DHABI, UAE - Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei headed the UAE delegation to the Development Road Conference in Iraq. The one-day conference brought together transport ministers and officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council, Iran, Turkey, Syria and Jordan and representatives of the European Union...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Gulf Cooperation Council has hailed Qatar's efforts for its role in the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinians that came into effect on Sunday. Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC, said the Qatari diplomacy has been successful in dealing deal with several international and...

Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director-General of the DHA, said Dubai’s ability to provide high-quality patient-centered medical care has accelerated its growth as an Arab, regional and international healthcare destination.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, diplomatically isolated since the start of the Syrian war in 2011, has visited the UAE and Oman over the past two months. An Arab League summit is expected to be held in Riyadh in May.

The current healthcare expenditure in the Gulf Cooperation Council region is expected to reach $135 billion in 2027, implying an annualized growth rate of 5.4 percent.

Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani of Qatar, who serves as a UNHCR advocate, has been the biggest contributor to the fund, providing more than $110 million to date, or more than half of total contributions.

New Delhi, India - The first ever meeting of senior officials of India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was held in Riyadh on Monday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs here announced. India has been steadily stepping up institutional engagement of the GCC in addition to regular bilateral meetings...

International Monetary Fund predicts economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa will fall to 3.2% this year from 5.4% in 2022, before rising to 3.5% next year.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- A meeting was held in Riyadh Thursday to prepare for holding the third round of free trade agreement negotiations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States and the United Kingdom from March 12–16 at the GCC General Secretariat in Riyadh. Fareed bin Saeed Al-Asaly,...

Doha, Qatar—Logistics market in Qatar will outperform other Gulf Cooperation Council countries during the 2020-2026 period, a study says. The study by the Investment Promotion Agency in Qatar showed Qatar ranked among the first 20 percent of countries in the world and second in the Middle East based on performance...

The meeting was co-chaired by Sheikh Ahmed bin Hashel Al-Maskari, Head of the Omani Foreign Ministry's GCC Department.

The British government said the Free Trade Agreement is a major economic opportunity and plays a key role in the relations between UK and GCC.

The world's richest countries have the highest happiness scores, which probably explains why Lebanon, facing its worst-ever economic crisis, ranks low in the MENA region.

The tour came within the framework of the kingdom’s efforts to promote tourism destinations, attract tourists from the region and regional markets.

The meeting discussed the agenda of the 48th session in addition to a number of other issues pertaining to GCC labor.

Social Security statements reached QR 78 million in July 2022, for 14,495 beneficiaries, recording a monthly decrease of 0.2% for the value of social security.