DOHA: The head of a visiting Saudi trade delegation says that he finds it strange that while the GCC leaders have given their go-ahead for businesses from one member state to have operations in all other states, the ministers and bureaucrats of these countries were stalling the process.
"I find it very strange as to why the GCC member states are delaying the process of allowing businesses from one state to have operations in the others whereas GCC leaders have agreed to it," said Abdul Rahman Al Atishan, co-chairman of the Joint Qatari-Saudi Business Council and head of a visiting Saudi delegation.
He told Arabic daily Al Arab that he hoped that a common GCC market could see the light of day by the year 2014. Al Atishan also said he hoped the common currency to be in place shortly as well. "A common GCC market would immensely benefit the region and strengthen its economy," he said.
Asked why Qatari companies found it difficult to set foot in Saudi Arabia, he said cryptically: "If Saudi companies can succeed in Qatar why can't Qatari companies succeed in Saudi Arabia."
Asked about one sector where it is difficult for companies from both Saudi Arabia and Qatar to enter, Al Atishan said it is the oil and gas and petrochemical sector.
"My company in Saudi Arabia is 22 years old and still we find it hard to bag contracts in the energy sector," said Al Atishan.
© The Peninsula 2012
