Al-Ageel delivers the opening remarks during the workshop.
The Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (Goic) has organised a workshop that aims to study the impact of World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules on the Gulf industrial sector.
Goic secretary-general Abdulaziz bin Hamad al-Ageel said the workshop, which will run until May 28, was conducted by Dr Hassan Abu Taher at Goic’s Doha headquarters yesterday.
Al-Ageel said the workshop forms part of Goic’s Training and Capacity Development (TCD) programme, which underlines Goic’s thrust to develop skills of the industrial labour force in GCC countries.
“One of the main objectives of this training is to introduce participants to major developments in the area of global trade and their repercussions on the Gulf economy. Arab countries are seeking new exporting markets. However, these countries face a number of obligations set by virtue of their accession to the WTO.
“Thus, Goic’s role is to raise awareness of the GCC industrial labour force and introduce them to WTO rules and their impact on the sectors of industries and services in GCC countries, in addition to their positive impact on global trade.”
The topics during the discussions included WTO rules that have the biggest impact on the industrial sector throughout the phases of production, marketing, importing, and exporting, as well as detailed rules of WTO agreements and how can government institutions, specifications, standards firms, and private sector companies use these rules and mechanisms in the best interest of the industries and services sectors.
Al-Ageel said the workshop also delved on available capacities on the development of the industrial sector and the adoption of export strategies.
“Dr Abu Taher also focused on the available mechanisms aimed at protecting various phases of industrial production in GCC countries and how to access market information and reach new markets,” he said.
Abu Taher has held ministerial, consular, advisory, and administrative positions at the WTO. He was the chief adviser for WTO affairs to the UAE’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce and the permanent representative of Morocco at the WTO and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva.
The workshop was attended by private sector representatives, including those from specifications and standards institutions.
Other participants include the Ministry of Energy and Industry’s Industrial Development Department, Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Economy and Planning, Saudi Export Development Authority (Seda), Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the UAE’s Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones.
