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Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries should co-ordinate industrial strategies, replace imports with locally made products, and build cross-border investment corridors to strengthen regional integration, trade, and shared business opportunities, ministers said. Speaking at the session on “The Future of Investment in the Gulf Region” during the ninth World Investment Forum (WIF) in Doha yesterday, ministers from across the Gulf highlighted the need to move beyond attracting foreign capital and create practical opportunities that encourage investment, expand manufacturing and connect regional markets. Bahrain’s industry and commerce minister, Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, said governments needed to take a more proactive role in identifying and developing investment opportunities based on actual market demand. Rather than simply promoting their countries to international investors, he said governments should identify products they can manufacture locally instead of importing. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the region should be viewed as an interconnected economic and investment system rather than six separate national markets. He cited the bloc’s gross domestic product of $2.4tn, external trade exceeding $1.3tn and sovereign wealth fund assets of more than $5tn as indicators of its economic and financial capacity. Albudaiwi also said foreign direct investment stock in GCC countries exceeded $792bn in 2025, including more than $171bn in investment between member states. Intra-GCC investment therefore represented approximately 22% of the total, according to the figures presented during the session. HE the Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Sayed said that recent crises had shown how closely Gulf economies are connected and how their industries can complement one another. He said the GCC had maintained the movement of goods through alternative routes despite disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, demonstrating the value of regional connectivity. He called for stronger links between industries, with the private sector playing a central role in using resources across the value chain to expand intra-GCC trade and manufacturing. The UAE representative also highlighted trade agreements’ role in opening markets and attracting investment. He cited the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), which aim to reduce tariffs and improve market access for businesses. The UAE’s foreign trade reached Dh3.8tn, or approximately $1.1tn, in the previous year, according to figures shared during the session. Trade with CEPA partner countries contributed to non-oil trade growth, illustrating how market access can create opportunities for businesses and investors. Kuwait’s state minister for economic affairs and investment, Abdulaziz Nasser Abdulaziz al-Marzouq, said the region had the energy, capital, human resources and regulatory environment needed to develop high-value industries, particularly in technology. 

 Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries have achieved 100% coverage of basic health services for adolescents and young people, exceeding the global rate of 68%, according to data released by the Statistical Centre for the Co-operation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-STAT).  The data showed that the number of adolescents and young people aged 10-24 in GCC countries reached approximately 12.8mn in 2025, accounting for 20% of the region’s total population.GCC countries also achieved 100% compliance with basic national regulations concerning adolescent and youth health, compared with a global rate of 84%.  This reflects the GCC countries’ commitment to adolescent and youth health through two key areas: the provision of basic healthcare services and the establishment of national regulations to protect their health and improve access to care.  GCC countries mark Gulf Adolescent and Youth Health Day on September 30 each year to highlight the importance of investing in young people’s health, strengthening preventative care and health awareness, and developing services tailored to their needs.  

In recognition of its “outstanding efforts in supporting national employment and enhancing the participation of Qatari talents in the private sector”, QNB was honoured during the 11th meeting of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Ministers of Labour Committee, held recently in Kuwait.This recognition reaffirms QNB’s leading role in contributing to Qatar’s economic and social development by attracting national talent and providing quality job opportunities for Qatari youth.On this occasion, Khalil Ibrahim al-Ansari, executive vice president- HR Strategy and Integration, QNB Group Human Capital commented:“We are proud of this recognition, which reflects our strong commitment to supporting Qatar’s nationalisation plans and empowering Qatari talents to play a vital role in the private sector. Developing national human capital is a cornerstone of our strategy and long-term vision.QNB remains committed to its Qatarisation strategy through various initiatives and programmes that empower Qatari professionals, in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030.QNB sponsors key initiatives in the financial sector in collaboration with academic and business partners, such as “Kawader Malia Programme,” which focuses on training and developing Qatari talent.