Muscat: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) common market continues to strengthen regional integration, with new figures highlighting greater ease of movement, employment, education, and healthcare benefits for citizens across the six member states.
According to 2023 statistics, more than 36.5 million GCC citizens benefited from the smart card due to the unified systems for travel and residency.
They also enjoyed unrestricted ownership rights, with 8,700 property titles registered across member states in 2023.
In healthcare, more than 190,000 GCC citizens accessed integrated medical services in 2023, ensuring comprehensive health coverage.
Education also witnessed strong growth, with thousands of students enrolling in universities and colleges across the bloc.
Employment opportunities expanded further as over 32,000 GCC nationals worked across sectors under full equality frameworks.
Meanwhile, GCC nationals owned 81,200 economic licenses to operate business activities in member countries during 2023, marking a seven per cent increase since the market’s inception.
The stock exchange also recorded significant citizen participation, with shares traded by GCC nationals rising 28.4 per cent since 2007, encompassing investments in 737 joint-stock companies.
Officials stressed that these achievements demonstrate the GCC common market’s role in reinforcing economic integration, ensuring equal opportunities for citizens, and strengthening the stability and prosperity of the region.
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