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While agreeing with measures taken in recent years to advance the role of the private sector in the economic development of the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries, the author argues that, in spite of the importance of the private sector, it should supplement rather than supplant the public secotr in the economic development of the countries of the GCC region. The first of three parts of this paper provides evidence from East Asian countries showing that their economic successes over the last thirty years are largely attributable to efficient and active public sectors, which stimulated the expansion and development of the private sectors. The second part makes a case for the importance of the public sector in the GCC economies. The third part discusses some policies intended to raise the effectiveness of the public sector in the region in preparation for the Twenty-first Century.

Keywords: Economics Development, Public Sector, Gulf Corporation Council.