Latest news with #JasemMohamedalBudaiwi
Observer
4 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Canada-GCC trade reaches $8.5 billion in 2023
MUSCAT: Trade between the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Canada amounted to $8.5 billion in 2023, according to recent data published by the GCC Statistical Center. This figure represents 14.1 per cent decline in trade in 2023 in comparison with 2022's total of $9.9 billion. Most notably, GCC exports to Canada decreased by 32.2 per cent ($1.5 billion) to $3.2 billion in 2023, versus $4.7 billion in the previous year. Minerals fuels, oils and waxes, totaling $2.1 billion in value, represented a 65.6 per cent share of exports. This was followed by miscellaneous items (12.5 per cent of exports) valued at $0.4 billion. Iron and steel represented 9.4 per cent of total exports amounting to $0.3 billion, followed by precious stones and metals which represented 6.3 per cent of total exports valued at $0.2 billion. Machinery and mechanical appliances and iron and/or steel products accounted for 3.1 per cent of exports with a value of $0.1 billion. On the other hand, imports from Canada increased by 0.8 per cent ($0.1 billion) in 2023 to $5.3 billion. Miscellaneous items worth $2.0 billion made up 37.7 per cent of total imports, while 'commodities subject to special provisions' accounted for a 18.9 per cent share worth $1.0 billion. Imports of precious stones and metals, machinery and mechanical appliances, vehicles and vehicle parts collectively accounted for a 13.2 per cent share of exports, valued at $0.7 billion. Edible vegetable oils accounted for a 3.8 per cent share of imports with a value $0.2 billion. Despite the decline in the trade volume, Canada moves up a rank to become the 32nd trade partner of the GCC in 2023. Earlier in January, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed al Budaiwi, received the Canadian Minister of International Development at the General Secretariat's headquarters in Riyadh to discuss bilateral relations between the GCC and Canada, in addition to ways to enhance cooperation in various aspects.
Muscat Daily
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
GCC, Egypt hail Oman mediation in securing US-Yemen ceasefire
Muscat – Oman's mediation efforts have succeeded in securing a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Yemeni authorities, drawing praise from Egypt and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for its role in promoting regional stability. In a statement on Wednesday, Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration commended Oman's diplomatic engagement, calling it a 'significant step' towards restoring calm in Yemen. 'We hope the coming period will see a firm commitment to this agreement, which could also help generate momentum to end the war in Gaza and advance efforts towards regional security and stability,' the ministry added. Jasem Mohamed al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of GCC, also praised Oman's role, describing it as a testament to the sultanate's 'constructive and effective' regional diplomacy. He reaffirmed the GCC's commitment to fostering peace through balanced policies and stressed the importance of de-escalation and adherence to international maritime law, particularly regarding freedom of navigation. The ceasefire agreement, announced on Tuesday by H E Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, followed recent discussions between Oman, the US and Yemeni parties. 'In the future, neither side will target the other, including American vessels, in the Red Sea and Bab al Mandab Strait, ensuring freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international commercial shipping,' H E Sayyid Badr said.
Zawya
29-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
GCC Accreditation Centre opens first branch in Oman
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion officially launched the first regional branch of the GCC Accreditation Centre (GAC) in Muscat on Sunday, April 27, 2025. The launch was followed by the unveiling of the logo of the Omani Accreditation Centre. The ceremony, which took place at the JW Marriott Hotel, was presided over by Jasem Mohamed al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and attended by Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, and senior public and private sector officials. This move is consistent with Oman Vision 2040 and will further enhance the Sultanate's accreditation and quality systems. The new office will provide internationally recognized accreditation services, promote product and service conformity, and enhance regional trade integration. Eng Mut'ib bin Saeed al Mizani, Director General of the GCC Accreditation Center, said: "In a move which reinforces its steadfast commitment towards enhancing Gulf cooperation, the Sultanate of Oman has formally inaugurated a branch of the Gulf Accreditation Center in Muscat. The establishment of this center is a testament to Oman's central contribution and strong support for common Gulf endeavours.' Eng Al Mizani added, "The center will oversee the issuance of accreditation certificates to all types of goods to ensure they meet regional and international standards. The drive is expected to establish a strong foundation to increase the quality and competitiveness of Omani products and create a proper environment for the goods to enter regional and international markets." He added. Emad bin Khamis al Shukaili, Director General for Standards and Metrology of Oman's Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, commented: "We are celebrating today the official inauguration of the first branch of the Gulf Accreditation Center at the regional level of GCC countries in the Sultanate of Oman. This parallels the launching of our temporary programme, supplementing the Tenth Five-Year Plan by introducing the Omani Accreditation Center." "The importance of operating both the Gulf and Omani centers simultaneously is to achieve two primary objectives: First, to provide accreditation services, which have not been available in the Omani market for a very long time; Second, to enable the Omani National Accreditation Center to obtain international acceptance during this period and the future period, God willing," he further noted. The Ministry further initiated the "Omani Competencies Programme," which is designed to train a new generation of quality and accreditation professionals, thus furthering the nation's quest for a knowledge-based economy. The ceremony concluded with the signing of a second agreement of cooperation between the Ministry and GAC, paving the way for more accreditation services and eventual international recognition for the Omani Accreditation Centre. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Muscat Daily
28-04-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Gulf Accreditation Centre expands presence with Muscat branch
Muscat – The Gulf Accreditation Centre (GAC) officially opened a branch in Muscat on Sunday, in a move aimed at strengthening quality infrastructure across GCC and supporting international recognition of Gulf competencies. The inauguration was attended by Jasem Mohamed al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC, and H E Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, along with senior officials from Oman. Speaking at the event, Budaiwi said the opening of the GAC branch in Oman reflects the sultanate's commitment to joint Gulf cooperation and its efforts to advance initiatives in various fields. 'This stems from the wise leadership's noble directives in the sultanate, especially as it responds to an ambitious Gulf vision aimed at unifying efforts and developing the accreditation system, which leads to raising the level of quality and reliability in economic, industrial, health, and educational sectors.' Budaiwi added, 'This aims to achieve Gulf integration and enhance its regional and global standing. The GAC in Oman seeks to outline avenues for cooperation and coordination among the GCC's member states, develop the system for applying standards, evaluation, and product control, as well as support and develop the Gulf industry and economy.' The opening took place on the sidelines of the Advantage Oman Forum, which Budaiwi described as a valuable platform for discussing investment opportunities, and other initiatives.
Observer
28-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
GCC Accreditation Centre opens first branch in Oman
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion officially launched the first regional branch of the GCC Accreditation Centre (GAC) in Muscat on Sunday, April 27, 2025. The launch was followed by the unveiling of the logo of the Omani Accreditation Centre. The ceremony, which took place at the JW Marriott Hotel, was presided over by Jasem Mohamed al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and attended by Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, and senior public and private sector officials. This move is consistent with Oman Vision 2040 and will further enhance the Sultanate's accreditation and quality systems. The new office will provide internationally recognized accreditation services, promote product and service conformity, and enhance regional trade integration. Eng Mut'ib bin Saeed al Mizani, Director General of the GCC Accreditation Center, said: "In a move which reinforces its steadfast commitment towards enhancing Gulf cooperation, the Sultanate of Oman has formally inaugurated a branch of the Gulf Accreditation Center in Muscat. The establishment of this center is a testament to Oman's central contribution and strong support for common Gulf endeavours.' Eng Al Mizani added, "The center will oversee the issuance of accreditation certificates to all types of goods to ensure they meet regional and international standards. The drive is expected to establish a strong foundation to increase the quality and competitiveness of Omani products and create a proper environment for the goods to enter regional and international markets." He added. Emad bin Khamis al Shukaili, Director General for Standards and Metrology of Oman's Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, commented: "We are celebrating today the official inauguration of the first branch of the Gulf Accreditation Center at the regional level of GCC countries in the Sultanate of Oman. This parallels the launching of our temporary programme, supplementing the Tenth Five-Year Plan by introducing the Omani Accreditation Center." "The importance of operating both the Gulf and Omani centers simultaneously is to achieve two primary objectives: First, to provide accreditation services, which have not been available in the Omani market for a very long time; Second, to enable the Omani National Accreditation Center to obtain international acceptance during this period and the future period, God willing," he further noted. The Ministry further initiated the "Omani Competencies Programme," which is designed to train a new generation of quality and accreditation professionals, thus furthering the nation's quest for a knowledge-based economy. The ceremony concluded with the signing of a second agreement of cooperation between the Ministry and GAC, paving the way for more accreditation services and eventual international recognition for the Omani Accreditation Centre.
