Bahrain’s Parliamentary Division brought together representatives of legislative councils from across the Gulf to explore stronger cooperation in the digital economy, with discussions focusing on legislation, technology, investment and cybersecurity.

The joint Gulf seminar, organised in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), was held virtually on Tuesday under the theme “The Gulf Digital Economy: Legislation and Development of Technical Infrastructure, Enhancing Contribution to GDP, Stimulating Investment, and Strengthening the Safety of Gulf Society through Digital Platforms.”

The seminar brought together representatives of the Shura, parliamentary, national and consultative councils of GCC member states to discuss ways to advance digital economic integration across the region.

Opening the seminar, Shaikh Sadiq Eid Al Rahma, Member of the Shura Council and Chairman of the Parliamentary Coordination and Foreign Relations Committee, welcomed the participants and conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Speaker of the Council of Representatives and the Chairman of the Shura Council.

Al Rahma said the digital economy has become closely linked to the future of Gulf economies, particularly as rapid technological developments continue to reshape economic activity.

He pointed to the growing impact of artificial intelligence, data and digital platforms, stressing the need for legislative frameworks that can keep pace with technological change while supporting innovation and investment.

He also underlined the importance of protecting privacy and rights and building public confidence in digital services.

Bahrain’s contribution to the seminar presented the Kingdom’s experience in developing a legislative and strategic framework for the digital economy. It covered the Information Technology Crimes Law, Personal Data Protection Law and Electronic Transactions Law, alongside the National Digital Economy Strategy and National Cybersecurity Strategy.

The paper also highlighted Bahrain’s initiatives in artificial intelligence and cloud computing, as well as the digital achievements of the Shura Council and Council of Representatives, including international awards and advanced global rankings in digital maturity.

Discussions also addressed the development and potential harmonisation of policies and legislation governing the digital economy, with participants putting forward initiatives and recommendations to strengthen cooperation among GCC states.