Doha, March 26 (QNA) - The State of Qatar participated in the 28th extraordinary meeting of the Committee of Transport Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, held today via videoconferencing.

The State of Qatar was represented at the meeting by HE Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Thani.

During the meeting, Their Excellencies the GCC transportation ministers in attendance discussed the current regional situation and its impact on supply chains. They also agreed on several recommendations to enhance the sustainability of land and maritime transportation industries in their countries. They aim to ensure the continuity of supply chains and trade flow amid the current situation in the region.

The recommendations included adopting exceptional and flexible procedures to facilitate land transportation and address the urgent challenges that can impede its smooth flow. This aims at ensuring the continuity of operational processes and smooth movement of trucks, buses and taxis between member states during the current regional conditions.

They also included applying seamless procedures at ports located outside the Strait of Hormuz for goods destined for the GCC countries, activating green corridors, and enhancing the efficiency of logistic connectivity between these ports and logistic hubs in the GCC countries by improving the readiness of land ports and facilitating the movement of trucks crossing borders.

Furthermore, the ministers also recommended allocating prioritized logistic routes for goods and essential commodities arriving through alternative ports, and underlined the importance of minimizing physical inspection procedures and relying more often on advance inspection solutions using modern technologies.

Additionally, it’s been agreed to form a permanent taskforce of representatives from port authorities, land transportation and customs authorities, along with the General Secretariat of the GCC, to monitor the work progress on this alternative plan and address any obstacles immediately. (QNA)