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06:13 GMT
Head of the League Secretary General's Office Ambassador Hisham Yousef
By Khalid Al-Zaid (with photos) CAIRO, Nov 19 (KUNA) -- An Arab League official expressed his hope here Wednesday that the Arab economic summit, to be held in Kuwait early nexy year, would underscore and enhance economic integration in the Arab world.
Head of the League Secretary General's Office Ambassador Hisham Yousef told KUNA that the summit, to be held January 19-20, would be a starting point for Arab economic and social integration.
He said the league's secretariat and organizations are preparing for the important event, adding that Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa was following up procedures with the Kuwaiti political leadership.
He praised Kuwait's efforts in preparing for the summit and emphasized that the Gulf state played a significant role in supporting joint Arab action.
The secretariat asked a number of experts to prepare studies to identify obstacles and challenges facing trade exchange among Arab countries, he added.
The summit will discuss establishing a customs union, the Arab agreement on services trade, the investment card that enables businessmen to move easily among Arab countries, transportation, education, health, poverty, unemployment, food security, and climate changes.
Kuwait has formed a higher committee to prepare for the event, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Faisal Al-Hajji. (end) kz.ris KUNA 190913 Nov 08NNNN