GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council)
Definition
The Gulf Cooperation Council is a regional intergovernmental political and economic union comprising six Arab states of the Persian Gulf: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. It was established in 1981 to foster cooperation on economic, security, and cultural matters.
Context
Oman is a founding member of the GCC and participates in common frameworks including the VAT agreement, customs union, and defence cooperation. GCC membership shapes trade policy, currency arrangements, and labour market dynamics across all member states.
Example
The GCC Common Market allows citizens of member states to work, live, and own property across the bloc, facilitating economic integration and labour mobility between Oman and its Gulf neighbours.