Arab states have achieved economic, social development -- study

(With photos) KUWAIT, Jan 13 (KUNA) -- Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League for Economic Affairs Dr. Mohammad Al-Tuwaijri said Arab countries had witnessed social and economic development in the past decade.
He said in a study published in a book entitled "Kuwait Summit and Arab Ambition," issued by Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on the Arab Economic Summit to be held here on January 19-20, that the total gross domestic product (GDP) of Arab countries noticeably increased in the past ten years.
The growth exceeded the average international growth, positively affecting the average income of people in the Arab world, he said.
Total foreign trade of 17 countries form about 92 percent of the total Arab trade, while trade among Arab countries makes up 12.5 percent of the total foreign trade of Arab states, he pointed out.
He said Arab exports increased 296 percent from USD 31.8 billion in 2000 to USD 126.2 billion in 2007, while imports hiked 290 percent.
The 162-page book published by KUNA contained five studies written by several Kuwaiti and Arab academics and officials, in addition to researchers at the agency's information and research center. (end) gh.ris KUNA 131218 Jan 09NNNN