Kuwait, Rabi'I 13, 1440, Nov 21, 2018, SPA -- Partnership between public and private sectors is essential in order for GCC economic correlation and unity to be achieved, said Kuwait's Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled Al-Roudhan in a speech today at the opening of the consultative meeting of ministers of commerce and industry and heads of commerce and industry chambers of the GCC. Kuwait is hosting the one-day meeting. "We need to be an integral part of the global transformation through providing a sound and ever improving business environment. Gulf countries had made significant strides in terms of eradicating obstacles on the way of commercial and industrial progress", Al-Roudhan pointed out, adding that GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries "are bonded by mutual history and interests. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, along with his brothers; GCC leaders, are keen to maintain such entity." There is also a pressing necessity to establish legislative and institutional bodies that would contribute in steering projects and managing businesses, Al-Roudhan stressed. The consultative meeting aims at easing tariff procedures among GCC members, as well as addressing impediments in face of establishing a common GCC market. --SPA 17:51 LOCAL TIME 14:51 GMT 0022 www.spa.gov.sa/w791582