Manama, November 08 (QNA) – Boosting the interconnection between transport and logistics networks in the GCC states represents a bedrock of Gulf economic security, ensuring the continuity of trade movement and the flow of goods, and substantially bolstering member states’ capacity to confront crises and maintain market stability by integrating Gulf capabilities and diversifying supply routes.
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi made the remarks while speaking before the 30th meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Transport and Communications of the GCC states in Manama, Bahrain, on Sunday.
Albudaiwi highlighted that the rapid transformations playing out in the region and the world, along with ensuing disruptions in maritime corridors and rising shipping and insurance costs, have underscored the strategic significance of the transport and logistics sector in supporting market stability and the continuation of trade movement and vital services. He emphasized the need to foster Gulf coordination to elevate the efficiency of responses to these variables.
Albudaiwi asserted that the priorities for the upcoming phase lie in strengthening integration among transport and logistics systems, diversifying transport and supply routes, and raising readiness and joint coordination to confront crises down the road, maintain supply-chain resilience and ensure the continued flow of goods and products.
Moreover, Albudaiwi stated that investments by the GCC states in developing land, air and maritime transport sectors, as well as infrastructure and logistics facilities, have contributed to substantially augmenting transport-system efficiency and supporting economic activity.
He noted that the transport and storage sector in the GCC states achieved real growth of 5.7 percent during 2025, positioning it among the fastest-growing non-oil economic activities.
He underscored that the GCC Railway Project, targeted for completion by the end of 2030, represents one of the strategic projects supporting Gulf integration, outlining that it will facilitate the movement of passengers and goods, link land transport networks with ports and logistics hubs, improve the efficiency of the Gulf transport system and boost its competitiveness.
GCC Secretary-General: Transport Network Connectivity a Bedrock of Gulf Economic Security
