Inspired by the special relationships that tie up the GCC States and the features and similar regulations they have in common; and

Convinced in the importance of cooperation and coordination between the GCC States,

THE COOPERATION COUNCIL FOR THE ARAB STATES OF THE GULF (GCC) had been established in the first session of the Supreme Council held in the United Arab Emirates (May 1981) wherein the GCC Charter was adopted.

In the same year the GCC Economic Agreement was signed and it came into force in March 1982. In implementation of the provisions of the said agreement, many practical steps had been taken with effect from March 1983, the first of which was the Intra-GCC Free Trade Area whereby all GCC national products were exempted from customs duties and the other charges having similar effect under special conditions.