Al-Attiya, who delivered an address at a forum hosted by the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the main aim of GCC member states is to achieve economic integration paving the way for the setting up of a free trade zone followed by a customs union and the GCC common market.
He said the customs union has already started earlier this year.
He added that the GCC common market was very important for creating a feeling of belonging to the GCC entity and pointed out that all GCC members are eager for the common market to kick off and are introducing legislation necessary for its birth.
Al-Attiya said member states have already appointed liaison officers to guide members of the public through the initial stages of the common market.
He predicted that the GCC common market will enhance the bargaining power of GCC member states at regional and international levels and will attract powerful foreign investments to the GCC area.
He expressed hope that hurdles facing such a common market will be removed as GCC leaders pledged to do at their latest summit in Doha.
He said the setting up of a common GCC currency was necessary for economic integration in Gulf states.
