GCC is a regional organization including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, founded in May 25, 1981. Objectives include political coordination and harmonization of economic, financial, commercial, and customs policies; and establishment of a common external tariff. GCC headquarters are in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; its principal administrative organs are the Supreme Council, the Ministerial Council, and the Secretariat-General.

Among the stated objectives of GCC are:

• formulating similar regulations in various fields such as economy, finance, trade, customs, tourism, legislation, and adminstration,
• fostring scientific and technical progress in industry, mining, agriculture, water and animal resources,
• establishing scientific research centres,
• setting up joint ventures,
• encouraging cooperation of the private sector,
• strengthening ties between their peoples,
• establishing a common currency by 2010.

References

[1] Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. http://www.gcc-sg.org/.

[2] Introduction to archaeology in Saudi Arabia. Rijad, 1977 (in Arabic).

Back to Geography