LOC18:33
15:33 GMT
(With photos)
CAIRO, Feb 9 (KUNA) -- Arab ministers within the economic and social
council met at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo on Thursday.
The meeting began with a speech from the meeting's last chair, Qatar,
represented by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Business and Trade,
Sultan bin Rashid Al-Khater.
He said that the current impending changes in the Arab world call for
change in answer to the aspirations of the people for Arab economic and
commercial integration.
For his part, chair of the current meeting, Lebanon's Minister of Economy
and Trade Nicholas Nahhas urged the need for a modern Arab economic and trade
mechanism, which serves the interests of the region.
Also attending the meeting was Arab League Secretary General Nabil
Al-Arabi, who noted that many countries in the region suffer from obstacles
that prevent any form of progress and development, namely poverty,
unemployment and low quality healthcare and education.
These nations need the support of their Arab neighbours at these difficult
times, he added.
The Arab League chief highlighted the importance of economic regional blocs
at this day and age, calling on the member countries to sign up to the Arab
Free Trade Agreement.
Supporting projects that connect the region logistically by land, air and
sea along with the need to grant women and youth a larger role in developing
the economy were also emphasized.
Kuwait attended the meeting and was represented by Minister of Finance and
Minister of Health Mustafa Al-Shimali. (end)
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KUNA 091833 Feb 12NNNN