Bahrain : Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa chaired today the 114th meeting of the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee.
He also presided over the joint meeting with GCC Ministers of Commerce, which was held in Bahrain today, in the presence senior officials representing member countries and the GCC General Secretariat.
The minister conveyed greetings from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to all participants.
He also welcomed the ministers and GCC Secretary General Dr Nayef bin Falah Al Hajraf and thanked them for attending the meeting in-person for the first time since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
He said that the meeting builds on the achievements and successes, hailing strong historic relations binding the GCC member countries across all sectors, particularly financial and economic fields.
He stressed the importance of continuing joint efforts to bolster common action and spearhead development and progress, adding that the current circumstances require a clear work plan to achieve economic recovery.
The delegation discussed economic ties between the GCC member countries, highlighting the recommendations of the Central Banks Governors’ Committee and the taskforce in charge of studying the G20 initiatives and the role of the customs union in boosting intra – trade exchanges.
Members of the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee then inaugurated the electronic window (Takamul) aimed to address queries, remarks and proposals related to the GCC common market 
Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa also chaired the joint meeting between the Financial and Economic Committee and Trade Cooperation Committee, in the present of the Head of Negotiating Team Abdulrahman Al Harbi.
He congratulated Al Harbi on his appointment as general coordinator of the GCC Team in charge of the free trade negotiations. He also thanked former coordinator Dr. Hamad Al Bazea for his efforts.
