- Al-Marzouq urges GCC states to build an integrated economic zone, leveraging energy resources, sovereign wealth funds and skilled human capital to attract advanced industries
Kuwait has called for closer economic integration among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, with Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment and Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq proposing the name “Silicon Desert” for a regional technology and economic zone designed to attract advanced industries and investment.
Speaking at the ninth World Investment Forum in Doha, Al-Marzouq said the Gulf had the resources and capabilities to emerge as a major economic region over the coming decades. He stressed that investment in infrastructure and the localisation of specialised industries, particularly technology-related sectors, would be crucial to achieving that ambition.
“Why not call it ‘Silicon Desert’?” he said, referring to the region’s ambition to establish modern technology industries close to its primary energy resources.
The remarks came during the ministerial roundtable on “Investment for Development” and the session titled “The Future of Investment in the Gulf”, organised by the GCC General Secretariat as part of the forum convened by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Al-Marzouq emphasised that the focus should be on attracting high-quality investment and maximising its economic and developmental benefits, rather than investment volume alone. He said the GCC countries had the potential to attract specialised industries and emerging technologies, creating opportunities for a more diversified and integrated regional economy.
He pointed to the Gulf’s energy resources, developing human capital, substantial sovereign wealth funds and investment-friendly legislative environment as key advantages that could support this transformation.
“The time has come to consider the GCC as an integrated economic zone,” he said, adding that the region was well placed to become an emerging economic centre in the coming years and decades. His proposal highlighted the opportunity for Gulf countries to combine their resources and capabilities to attract advanced industries, strengthen economic cooperation and establish a stronger position in the global technology and investment landscape.