Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Albudaiwi held talks on Wednesday with Dr. Raja bin Manahi Al Marzouqi, newly-appointed General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC, on the occasion of his appointment. The GCC Ministerial Council had on March 22 issued a decision to appoint Al Marzouqi, Saudi Arabia’s candidate, as General Coordinator for Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team of the GCC. Meeting at the GCC General Secretariat in Riyadh, Albudaiwi congratulated Al Marzouqi on his appointment, wishing him success in carrying out his duties in advancing Gulf trade negotiations in a manner that meets the aspirations of the leaders and people of the GCC. The officials also discussed the need to seize Gulf achievements in line with the provisions of the economic agreement. They underlined the ability of GCC countries to play a major role as an economic engine through strategic partnerships and free trade negotiations with a number of countries, regional blocs, and other economic and international groups. They also stressed the means to accelerate the pace of partnerships to help advance growth and Gulf economic integration, through plans, visions and development programs. Al Marzouqi expressed his gratitude to Albudaiwi and Gulf foreign ministers for the confidence in appointing him as the General Coordinator for Negotiations. Al Marzouqi had previously worked as a Chief Economic Advisor at the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning. He worked as a faculty member at the Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, and a collaborating expert with the International Monetary Fund. He has also held several leadership and administrative positions in the government and private sectors, as well as international and regional organizations, the most recent of which was the position of CEO of the Gulf Monetary Council. Al Marzouqi holds a PhD in Economics from Oklahoma State University-Stillwater, a Master's degree in Applied Mathematical Economics from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in the United States, and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from King Saud University in Riyadh.