Stating that the regional and global challenges had made it imperative for Arab and GCC countries to work as an integral team, Shaikh Khalifa, who was addressing dignitaries including Shura and Representatives Council’s Chairmen Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh and Khalifa Al Dhahrani, said the rise in oil revenues should not dim the ambitions of the region to set up strong and invulnerable economies that are not susceptible to volatile oil prices.
Earlier, in an interview to a Saudi daily, the Prime Minister said economic integration of the GCC countries was a major issue which merited prime slot in the GCC summit in Doha. This was a major ambition of the GCC countries since the world now recognises only economic blocs, he said, adding that economic integration would also help in cementing unity among the member countries.
Shaikh khalifa said that economic power was the most crucial factor for advancement and, for the sake of economic union, called for relevant resolutions passed at the previous GCC summits to be implemented to facilitate harmony with the global economic situation. To achieve this, it was necessary that all obstacles are removed, he said, and emphasised on the need for constant exchange of information and ideas on current issues.
