Gulf States agree on unified customs tariffs

The Gulf cooperation council (GCC) member states agreed on unifying customs tariff and on the classification of more than 2000 commodities leaving only 26 commodities for next meeting, Kuwaiti finance minister, Sheikh Ali-Salem Al-Sabah announced on Thursday.

Sheikh Al-Sabah told reporters at the conclusion of the GCC Economic and Financial cooperation committee meeting, that the unified customs tariffs "is one of the sensitive matters which affect social and economic aspects of life and that is why carefulness is needed in dealing with this issue."

Some technical matters of the agreement are still to be agreed upon and a committee was formed to review them and refer recommendations to the next meeting due in the United Arab Emirates next May, the Kuwaiti Minister said.