The Shura Council took part in the Joint Gulf Symposium of the Legislative Councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council States, held via videoconference. The Symposium, organised by the Council of Representatives of the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, aims to discuss shared ground and exchange parliamentary expertise, alongside highlighting the role of legislative councils in supporting joint Gulf action and developing legislation across various sectors.
On the sidelines of the Symposium, His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Hashmi, Member of the Council, presented a working paper titled "The Gulf Digital Economy: Legislation, Technical Infrastructure Development, Enhancing GDP Contribution, Stimulating Investment, and Digital Society Safety," addressing the key challenges facing legislative councils in regulating the Gulf digital economy, as well as the plans, strategies and legislative framework relating to the digital economy in the Sultanate of Oman.
The Shura Council's working paper sets out a strategic roadmap for enabling the Gulf digital economy by harmonising legislation and bridging regulatory gaps among GCC member states. The paper highlights Oman's integrated trajectory, from digital transformation initiatives and the issuance of modern legislation such as the Personal Data Protection Law and the establishment of the Investment and Trade Court, through to the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and artificial intelligence. It reviews the Council's oversight and legislative efforts to prevent digital monopolies and monitor national indicators to enhance investment attractiveness. The paper concludes by affirming the importance of developing a unified GCC legislative framework and a joint coordination committee to ensure sustainable growth and the safety of the digital society.
The Joint Gulf Symposium of the Legislative Councils of the Gulf Cooperation Council States was attended by His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Hashmi, His Excellency Ali Al Amri and His Excellency Nasser Al Habsi, Members of the Council, along with staff from the Secretariat General of the Shura Council.