Doha: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi affirmed that the Supreme Council, in the concluding statement of the AlUla Summit on January 5, 2021, emphasized the importance of continuing to support and encourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), believing in their vital role and contribution to the economies of the GCC countries, according to a press release from the GCC General Secretariat. According to Saudi Press Agency, this statement came during the fourth meeting between the GCC countries' ministers of commerce and industry and Gulf entrepreneurs, held yesterday in Doha, Qatar. The meeting was chaired by Minister of Commerce and Industry of the State of Qatar and president of the current session Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani and attended by the GCC countries' ministers of commerce and industry. Albudaiwi praised the efforts made by the GCC countries to enhance cooperation and joint integration in supporting and encouraging SMEs, which play a vital ro le in achieving the goals of the national vision of the GCC countries. "Starting from the fact that SMEs constitute a fertile ground for talent and innovation, this qualifies them to grow into a leading role in improving the competitiveness of the economies of the GCC countries regionally and internationally, making them a primary source of job creation," Albudaiwi stated. He highlighted that cooperation in the commercial field among the GCC countries has been a priority, receiving attention and guidance from the leaders of the GCC countries since the council's inception in 1981. He stressed that in focusing on entrepreneurs and SMEs, a committee of officials responsible for entrepreneurship initiatives and the knowledge economy for SMEs in the GCC countries was established under the Commercial Cooperation Committee of the Cooperation Council. He said that annual meetings are held between the members of the Commercial Cooperation Committee and entrepreneurs. These meetings have resulted in recommendations a nd initiatives that the member states are working to implement. An annual Gulf forum has been held in Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar and will continue to be held in the remaining member states in the coming years. Albudaiwi added that these forums have presented several initiatives, most notably the adoption of a database for SMEs in the GCC countries, a study of business opportunities to create partnerships and blocs between these institutions, and the creation of a platform for Gulf entrepreneurs. "This platform provides the necessary data and information for Gulf entrepreneurs to understand supply and demand in the labour market, learn about investment opportunities in the region, and identify funding channels and support entities to enable them to develop and improve their businesses. It will also serve as a platform for dialogue and consultation between entrepreneurs and investors to facilitate communication between entrepreneurs and investors, financiers, clients, and job seekers. The General Secretaria t of the Cooperation Council is currently working on developing the second version of the platform next year," he concluded.