Doha, April 30 (QNA) - The State of Qatar participated Thursday in a series of ministerial meetings of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), focusing on trade, industry and standardization.

The meetings, held via video conferencing, included the 70th Committee for Trade Cooperation, the 56th Committee for Industrial Cooperation, and the 11th Ministerial Committee for Standardization Affairs.

HE Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani led the State of Qatar's delegation.

The meetings witnessed the participation of Their Excellencies the Ministers of Commerce and Industry of the GCC member states, as well as the GCC Secretary-General.

HE Sheikh Faisal also participated in a joint meeting between Their Highnesses and Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Commerce and Industry and HE Member of the Parliament and Minister of State for Trade of the United Kingdom, Sir Chris Bryant, which was held via video conferencing. The meeting discussed trade relations with the United Kingdom, including negotiations towards a free trade agreement.

Within the framework of the work of the Committee for Trade Cooperation, Their Highnesses and Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Commerce discussed a number of topics on the agenda, which enhance ways of joint Gulf trade cooperation.

Their Highnesses and Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Industry also discussed a number of topics on the agenda, which would enhance ways of industrial cooperation between the member states.

On the other hand, Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers, members of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Standardization Affairs, discussed, at the 11th meeting of the committee, the latest developments in the work of the Standardization Organization, the adoption of draft Gulf technical regulations, and made the appropriate decisions regarding them.

HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry also participated in the 14th consultative meeting of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the GCC Ministers of Commerce and Industry and Their Excellencies the heads of the GCC federations and chambers of commerce, which was held via video conference. The meeting discussed topics and recommendations submitted by the heads of the Federation of GCC Chambers (FGCCC) and made appropriate decisions regarding them. (QNA)