KUWAIT CITY, May 7 (AFP): Kuwait's Finance Minister Anas al-Saleh on Wednesday urged the energy-rich Gulf states to make concessions to ensure the full implementation in January 2015 of a long-delayed customs union.
Saleh, speaking at a meeting of finance ministers of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, pointed to a long-standing GCC goal that the customs union, launched in 2003, be fully effective by the start of next year.
"It is time for the member states to make some concessions in order to reach an agreed formula that guarantees the rights of all (Gulf) states," the Kuwaiti minister said.
He urged the completion of requirements for the customs union, "particularly ... distribution of customs revenues, protection of local agents and protectionism for some goods."
Kuwait currently holds the rotating presidency of the GCC.
GCC secretary general Abdullatif al-Zayani, also speaking at the meeting, urged member states to facilitate free movement of national and foreign goods to allow the January 1, 2015 deadline to be met.
Kuwait urges concessions to seal Gulf customs union
FE Team | Published: May 08, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
Share if you like