Parliament passes GCC land transport law to increase volume of trade exchange

TDT | Manama

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Parliament approved Decree-Law No. 35 of 2025 yesterday, bringing Bahrain into the GCC’s unified system for international land transport and laying down how it will work in the Kingdom.

MP Ahmed Al Salloom backed the move in the chamber, saying: “We certainly support the decree-law, out of our desire for the Kingdom of Bahrain to meet its regional obligations and to put into effect what the GCC Supreme Council approved at its 43rd session, by adopting the unified system for international land transport as a mandatory framework.”

He pressed for clearer detail on what it could deliver for commerce, telling ministers: “I would like to understand more about what opportunities this system will add in order to increase the volume of trade exchange.”

Jobs

He also asked if it could “create job opportunities for citizens through the transport of goods and people between GCC states.”

MP Jalal Kadhem said the change would reach beyond paperwork and into household incomes.

“The unified land transport law between GCC states affects a wide segment of Bahraini citizens and their families,” he told MPs, calling for protection for Bahrainis working in the sector and for rules that stop abuse on the ground.

The decree-law approves the Unified System (Law) for International Land Transport between GCC states, adopted by the GCC Supreme Council at its 43rd session.

Referral

A parliamentary committee reviewing the referral said the decree-law was sound under the Constitution and recommended it be passed.

The six-article decree-law adopts the attached unified system and defines the “competent authority” as the government body to be named by decree.

For the system’s purposes, it sets the Bahraini dinar at ten Saudi riyals.

It also sets a way to appeal decisions issued under the system, its executive regulations, and decisions made under them.

Notification

Any affected party has 30 days from notification to file a grievance with the competent authority, either by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt or by electronic means.

A decision must be issued within 30 days; if the grievance is rejected, reasons must be given, and if there is no reply it is treated as refused.

A further 30 days is allowed to challenge the refusal before the competent court.