LOC16:50
13:50 GMT
CAIRO, Sept 17 (KUNA) -- Ahmed Goueli, Secretary General for the Council of Arab Economic Unity (CAEU) discussed with his assistants Wednesday the council's draft papers to be featured in the upcoming Arab economic, development, and social summit to be held in Kuwait January 19-20, 2009.
Goueli told the press that it was important to focus on the Arab Grand Free Trade Area (GAFTA) in the upcoming summit, adding that increasing inter-Arab trade and forming the Arab customs union were also vital two steps to bolster Arab economy.
Establishing an Arab funding institution, which would help support private sector projects for Arab youths, was another issue to be addressed in the Arab summit in Kuwait, stated Goueli, revealing that CAEU would be convening more in the upcoming months in order to focus on the January major meeting.
CAEU was established in June third, 1957, and became effective May 30, 1964, with the ultimate goal of achieving complete economic unity among its member states.
The CAEU has 10 members including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). (end) az.gta KUNA 171650 Sep 08NNNN