GOIC Receives Delegation from the GCC Customs Union Authority Headed by Dr. Suleiman bin Masoud Al-Ghafri

By: Yasser bin Salem Al-Husseini

As part of ongoing cooperation and coordination to support industrial development efforts in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, H.E. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Mohammed, CEO of the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), welcomed H.E. Dr. Suleiman bin Masoud Al-Ghafri, Executive Director of the GCC Customs Union Authority at the General Secretariat of the GCC, and his accompanying delegation at GOIC headquarters in Doha. A joint meeting was held in the presence of several department directors, experts, and consultants from GOIC.

The purpose of the visit was to explore avenues of cooperation between GOIC and the GCC Customs Union Authority through a closer look at GOIC's role in preparing studies, reports, and projects related to industrial and economic fields, and to review the facilities provided by the Customs Union Authority at the GCC General Secretariat.

The efforts of both parties aim to support the industrial sectors and enhance economic development in GCC countries in order to achieve industrial and economic cooperation and integration among member states—making them more competitive both regionally and globally. These efforts also aim to realize broader goals that go beyond the GCC level, working toward Arab industrial integration. The visit also highlighted the professional standards maintained by GOIC in project development, research, and quality criteria to ensure high-level technical and scientific outcomes.

During the visit, H.E. Dr. Suleiman Al-Ghafri and the accompanying delegation were briefed through visual presentations.

Mr. Mohammed Al-Ansari, Head of the Industrial Information Section at GOIC, presented an overview of the Gulf Industrial Platform Project, highlighting its role in supporting GCC industrial integration. The platform is part of GOIC's ongoing efforts to promote digital transformation across the GCC. The project aims to provide a unified industrial database, up-to-date analytical reports, and interactive data dashboards to support industrial policy development and enhance the competitiveness of Gulf industries regionally and globally.
The presentation highlighted the project's advanced technical features, including electronic integration with industrial entities across GCC countries—foremost among them, the ministries and authorities of industry—as well as the use of artificial intelligence tools to analyze data and provide intelligent information services that support decision-makers. The presentation also covered the project implementation roadmap and key challenges such as data connectivity and disparities in digital infrastructure between countries, along with proposed technical and organizational solutions to ensure effective execution.

Additionally, Dr. Mohammed Al-Breiki, Head of the Industrial Studies and Policies Department at GOIC, gave a presentation on the concept of the Gulf Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The center aims to enhance the global competitiveness of Gulf industries and position the region as a hub for innovation and smart manufacturing. It is expected to contribute to increasing added value and advancing the digital economy in the region. The center is considered a strategic necessity to boost the adoption of digital technologies in GCC factories, improve productivity, reduce costs, and create high-quality employment opportunities for citizens. The center will also serve as a unified platform for data exchange, standards development, and best practice sharing among national centers in the GCC.

At the end of the visit, H.E. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Mohammed, CEO of GOIC, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the visit of Dr. Suleiman Al-Ghafri and his delegation. In turn, Dr. Al-Ghafri thanked GOIC for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and the accompanying delegation.

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