​By: Yasser bin Salem Al-Husseini

As part of ongoing cooperation and coordination to support efforts related to industrial development in the GCC countries, the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting and the Technical Secretariat Office for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade at the GCC General Secretariat (headquartered in Riyadh) held a joint meeting on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, via remote communication technology.

The meeting was chaired on behalf of the Organization by H.E. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Mohammed, CEO of the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting, and on behalf of the Office by H.E. Mahfouth bin Nasser Al-Ruqadi, Director General of the Technical Secretariat Office for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade. The meeting was attended by a number of directors, department heads, experts, and consultants from both sides.

The joint meeting aimed to strengthen ongoing cooperation and coordination efforts between the Organization and the GCC General Secretariat, represented by the Technical Secretariat Office for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade, in a way that supports industrial sectors in the GCC countries in the areas of industrial development and economic information. The discussions focused on exploring ways to benefit from the Gulf industrial and economic information and data available at the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting, in implementation of the resolutions of the Industrial Cooperation Committee at its 54th meeting. These resolutions included “assigning the Technical Secretariat Office for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade to intensify efforts to monitor developments and maintain continuous coordination with the Customs Union Authority regarding import data, in order to reduce the impact of changes on Gulf industries and submit periodic reports to the member states.”

During the meeting, both parties also agreed to establish a “Memorandum of Understanding” between the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting and the Technical Secretariat Office for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the vital and important role of the economic and industrial data and information provided by GOIC was emphasized, as it represents a rich and reliable source that can be relied upon to support the Office’s efforts in protecting Gulf industries from harmful practices in international trade.

GOIC is the first Gulf-based specialized industrial consulting house, providing high-quality consulting services in the fields of industrial development, economic information, and market requirements. It draws on distinguished expertise and competencies and engages in strategic regional and international cooperation. The Organization supports future activities of targeted industrial sectors in member states by identifying industrial investment opportunities, providing updated reports and information in the fields of industry and industrial economics, and marketing them. GOIC works to serve clients by delivering highly professional services and value-added research, in addition to offering information and consultations on industrial and economic development issues in the GCC countries—services that clients consider unique in their kind.