GCC Finance Leaders and IMF Discuss Regional Economic Resilience
Gulf Cooperation Council finance ministers and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva met in Bahrain to address geopolitical shocks and digital financial transformation.
Finance ministers and central bank governors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) convened in Manama, Bahrain, on October 1, 2026, for the 126th Ministerial Meeting of the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee. Chaired by Minister of Finance and National Economy Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the delegation met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva to analyze the regional economic outlook amid geopolitical turmoil and trade disruptions.
Participants focused on maintaining financial stability, advancing structural reforms for job creation, and promoting private sector-led growth. Discussions included updates on the GCC Joint Market, the Customs Union Authority, and ongoing free trade agreement negotiations with international blocs. Qatar's Minister of Finance, Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari, advocated for increased regional interdependence and the use of artificial intelligence to enhance economic resilience.
A significant portion of the summit addressed the modernization of financial infrastructure. Central Bank of Bahrain Governor Khalid Humaidan led a roundtable on digital assets, arguing that such technologies can improve cross-border payments and drive innovation if supported by robust regulatory frameworks. The meetings concluded with a call for continued dialogue with the IMF to assess economic repercussions and ensure long-term stability across the member states.
