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Approval of Arab Ministers of Industry to Endorse and Adopt the “Arab Industrial Integration Strategy” During the Extraordinary Meeting of the General Assembly of the Arab Organization for Industrial Development, Standardization and Mining (AIDSMO)

The strategy was prepared by the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) in cooperation with the Arab Organization for Industrial Development, Standardization and Mining (AIDSMO).

By: Yasser bin Salem Al-Husseini

As part of the ongoing cooperation and coordination aimed at supporting comprehensive industrial development in Arab countries and strengthening joint Arab action, a decision was issued approving and adopting the final version of the “Arab Industrial Integration Strategy”. This marks an important step reflecting the depth of cooperation in achieving comprehensive and sustainable economic development goals, advancing the industrial and mining sectors, enhancing the competitiveness of industrial products, improving the quality infrastructure system, and reinforcing coordination, cooperation, and integrative partnership among Arab countries.

This approval came during the extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly of the Arab Organization for Industrial Development, Standardization and Mining (AIDSMO), held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on November 23. The meeting was inaugurated by Eng. Adel Saqr Al-Saqr, Director General of AIDSMO, and chaired jointly by H.E. Bandar Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and H.E. Arafat Asfour, Minister of Industry of the State of Palestine, with the attendance of several Arab ministers, officials, and industrial leaders.

The strategy is expected to yield several outcomes in the short, medium, and long term, including strengthening industrial linkages and integrative partnerships among Arab countries, facilitating the movement of intra-Arab industrial goods and products, and increasing joint industrial investments by building diversified, high value-added industries that integrate regionally and compete globally. It will also contribute to establishing complementary industries supporting major industrial projects, boosting private-sector participation in the industrial field, accelerating the digital transformation of manufacturing, and enabling the swift adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution applications. In addition, the strategy promotes sustainability-based industrial practices and supports the implementation of circular economy and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.

On this occasion, H.E. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer of the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), stated:

“Praise be to God, the ‘Arab Industrial Integration Strategy’ has been adopted and endorsed in Riyadh by the Arab Ministers of Industry. This strategy was prepared by the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) in cooperation with the Arab Organization for Industrial Development, Standardization and Mining (AIDSMO). This achievement is added to GOIC’s track record, as the organization had previously developed the Unified Industrial Strategy for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, in addition to updating several national industrial strategies for some GCC member states. These efforts will further strengthen the joint cooperation between GCC countries and other Arab states within the framework of collective Arab action.”

In his speech before the General Assembly of AIDSMO during the extraordinary session in Riyadh, His Excellency emphasized that the Arab region today stands at the threshold of major transformations in industry, economy, technology, and global supply chains. He highlighted that real industrial growth is not achieved through isolated efforts, but through regional partnerships and economic integration. The strategy has been designed as a shared Arab roadmap—actionable, implementable, and capable of advancing the position of Arab industry within regional and global value chains.

He also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the advisory committee overseeing the strategy’s development, to the steering committee for their guidance and support from the early stages to the final outputs, and to AIDSMO whose cooperation and dedication greatly contributed to producing a strategy that matches the aspirations of joint Arab ambition.

It is worth noting that the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) and the Arab Organization for Industrial Development, Standardization and Mining (AIDSMO) had signed a joint cooperation agreement on June 6, 2024, in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, to implement the “Arab Industrial Integration Strategy” project during the 28th session of the General Assembly of AIDSMO.