MUSCAT : According to the “GCC in Figures” report issued by the Statistical Center of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, the bloc continued to post real economic growth, driven by diversification strategies, financial reforms and investments in digital infrastructure.

The report noted that the GCC’s combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached approximately US$2.3 trillion, placing the bloc ninth globally, with an overall growth rate of 2.2 per cent.

The findings highlight a broad-based improvement in global economic indicators, including competitiveness, resilience and economic dynamism.

The report attributes this momentum to the expansion of non-oil activities, improvements in quality of life and stronger regional and international economic engagement.

In the energy sector, GCC countries maintained their global leadership position.

The bloc ranked first worldwide in oil reserves, holding an estimated 511.9 billion barrels. It also secured third place globally in natural gas production, with output reaching 442 billion cubic meters, and ranked second globally in natural gas reserves, estimated at 44.3 billion cubic meters.

Trade performance also reflected the bloc’s growing global footprint. The GCC ranked tenth globally in total exports, valued at US$849.6 billion, and eleventh in total imports, amounting to US$739.0 billion. Overall trade exchange stood at US$1.5895 trillion, placing the region tenth globally, while the bloc achieved a trade surplus of US$109.7 billion, ranking sixth worldwide.

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