The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and P akistan inked an initial trade agreement on 28 September in Riyadh, Saudi Press Agency(SPA) reports. The agreement should eliminate or minimize logistics obstacles like customs duties on goods, increasing market access to services, and promoting investments. This covers goods and services, investment, e-commerce, customs procedures, dispute settlement, competition, trade remedies, intellectual property, and small and medium enterprises.

AND- More agreements with Pakistan: Saudi Arabia has also inked an MoU with Pakistan to expand bilateral cooperation in communications and information technology by accelerating digital transformation, promoting innovation, and developing digital infrastructure, SPA reported separately. The agreement — signed by KSA’s Communications and Information Technology Minister Abdullah Alswaha and Pakistan’s Information Technology, Telecommunication, Science and Technology Minister Umar Saif — will establish a task force to promote digital cooperation between the two countries, according to SPA. The two countries will also develop their digital infrastructure by enhancing connectivity of their fiber optic networks, data centers, and cloud computing, the news agency adds.

UAE + Phi lippines to boost air cargo volumes: Deputy Director and Delegation Head of the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority Omar bin Ghalib signed an MoU with Philippines’ Civil Aeronautics Board Executive Director Carmelo L. Arcilla to enhance bilateral aviation ties between the two countries, Emirati news agency Wam reports. The agreement includes tripling air cargo between the countries from 200 to 600 tonnes per week for every national carrier, and approving the operation of Airbus A380 aircraft.

UAE + Thailand eye stronger trade and in vestment ties: UAE Foreign Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi visited Thailand to discuss boosting trade and logistics cooperation with Thai officials, Wam reports. Al Zeyoudi met with the Thai prime minister and commerce minister to discuss expediting trade and investment flows, as well as review the progress on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries.

UAE + France look to strengthen econ omic cooperation: UAE Economy Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri met with his French counterpart Bruno Le Maire to discuss enhancing trade and economic cooperation, Wam reports. He also discussed boosting trade across various sectors with Olivier Bechet, minister delegate for foreign trade, economic attractiveness and French nationals abroad attached to Europe’s minister for foreign affairs.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

  • N orth Lebanon Merchants Association head Assaad Hariri met with Austrian Ambassador in Lebano n René Paul Amryto discuss developing trade, export, and commercial ties between the two countries. (National News Agency)
  • A bu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan met with Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana to discuss expanding cooperation and exploring avenues for investment in energy, infrastructure,and tourism. (WAM)
  • UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley to explore bolstering bilateral ties in trade, tourism, clean energy and climate change. (WAM)
  • Saudi Economy and Planning Minister Faisal F. Alibrahim and Norway’s Trade and Industry Minister Jan Christian Vestre discussed boosting bilateral trade relations. (SPA)
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