. /.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/W/141
3 August 2000
(00-3181)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:  English
REQUEST FOR OBSERVER STATUS BY THE GULF ORGANIZATION FOR
INDUSTRIAL CONSULTING (GOIC)
The following communication has been received from the Gulf Organization for Industrial
Consulting (GOIC) requesting observer status in the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade.
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1. The Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) was formed in 1976 by the six Arab
Gulf States of United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman, Qatar
and Kuwait by an International Agreement.  Its Headquarters is at Doha, Qatar.  It enjoys aninternational legal status.
2. Although the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) Member States are the
same as those of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), GOIC is different from GCC in goals and
objectives.  While GCC is of a political nature, GOIC is a purely economical organization and it is
independent from GCC in all respects.
3. The objectives of GOIC are to enhance industrial cooperation and coordination amongst its
Member States.  To achieve these objectives the organization is currently undertaking the following
tasks:
(a) Collection and publication of information on industrial development projects and
policies;
(b) Submission of proposals relating to establishment of common industrial projects in
the Member States;
(c) Submission of recommendations relating to coordination of industrial development
projects;
(d) Coordination and development of technical and economic cooperation among
existing or planed industrial companies and establishments;
(e) Supplying technical assistance in preparation and evaluation of industrial projects;
(f) Compilation of information and conducting studies concerning industry.
4. Four of the GOIC Member States, namely Un ited Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait
have already joined WTO and Saudi Arabia and Sultanate of Oman are taking advanced steps to join.
They currently attend WTO meetings as observers.
5. GOIC is frequently requested by its Member States to conduct studies and give advice
relating to GATT and WTO Agreements, as well as on various trade and economic matters.  In this
respect, the following studies were undertaken by GOIC:G/TBT/W/141
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1. Joining the GATT:  Pros and Cons for the GCC States.
2. Saudi Arabia's Membership in the GATT:  It's impact on the Industrial Sector.
3. Industrialization in the GCC States in the light of the New International Trade Order.
4. The pros and cons of joining the World Trade Organization :  The case of Qatar.
5. The Effects of International Agreements on Environmental Protection on the GCC 
Manufacturing Sector.
6. "A Revised Unified Industrial Development Strategy for the GCC States Up to the 
Year 2020"
7. Means of protecting industrial goods of national origin in the light of the World Trade
Agreements 2000.
8. A Report on Exception of Industrial Imports from Custom Duties in the light of the
World Trade Agreements.
9. The Impact of WTO Agreements on the manufacturing sector in the GCC.
In view of this and as the Gulf Organization fo r Industrial Consulting (GOIC) feel that joining
the Committee On Technical Barriers to Trade as an observer will be of great benefit to its tasks, we
submit this application hoping that Observer Status will be conferred on it.
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