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KUWAIT, Jan 17 (KUNA) -- An Arab League official said Saturday Arab finance ministers and governors of central banks and monetary and finance institutions prepared a plan to help Arab countries to limit the negative effects of the world economic crisis.
Arab League Assistant Secretary General for Economic Affairs Ambassador Ibrahim Al-Tuwaijri said, speaking to KUNA on the sidelines of the "Private Sector and Civil Society Forum" of the Arab Economic Summit, that the plan would be referred to the Arab leaders.
The summit is the first of its kind to hold a meeting for Arab finance ministers, governors of central banks, and representatives of the private sector, he said.
He stressed that if Arab leaders had focused on economy a while ago, the economic situation would have became better.
Al-Tuwaijri said that one of the summit's goals was to activate agreements, and stressed on the importance of combating poverty and the establishment of an economic social forum.
He said the summit would help Arab economic integration, opening up to the international economy and the World Trade Organization (WTO), and attracting investments.
He emphasized that the summit was a historic event, pointing out that its success would mean the success of upcoming economic events.
All Arab financial institutions played a major role in supporting development in the Arab world, he said. (end) kt KUNA 171550 Jan 09NNNN