Arab summit’s preparatory meeting focuses on inter-Arab trade

AMMAN — The Economic and Social Council of the Arab League on Thursday held the first preparatory meeting of the 28th ordinary Arab summit at the Dead Sea, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Industry, Trade and Supply Ministry’s Secretary General Yousef Shamali received the presidency of the meeting from Mauritania's representative. 

Shamali said that potentials, location and resources of the Arab world can help boost economic cooperation  and inter-Arab investments, which do not exceed 20 per cent of total investments in the Arab world.

Discussing the inter-Arab trade, he noted it did not exceed 10 per cent, falling short of expectations, and called for removing hurdles that face the flow of goods between Arab countries.

The official said that Jordan's role will not be restricted to presidency protocols, but would be active in discussions to find solutions to regional crises.  

Kamal Ali, assistant secretary general and head of the economic sector of the Arab League, said that the meeting’s discussions included a number of issues, including the review of a report by the secretary general on economic and social work.

The report outlined progress in the implementation of previous summits’ decisions such as the initiatives by Saudi Arabia to increase the capitals of Arab funds by 50 per cent, the Kuwaiti decision to establish a fund to support small-and medium-sized enterprises and the Sudanese president’s food security proposals, in addition to other issues related to railway connectivity between Arab countries, according to Petra.

Ambassador Rima Alaa Aldin said that the meeting’s attendees agreed on various issues to be referred to the Arab League’s ministerial economic and social council on March 26.

Upon Jordan’s request, the council agreed to add the issue of refugees and displaced people to the meeting’s agenda given its importance in the Arab region, especially for countries like Jordan and the other neigbhours of conflict-stricken nations. 

Speaking to the press, Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani described the move as a “success” made by Jordan as it hosts the summit.

The council also agreed on a suggestion by the Yemeni delegation to discuss the consequences of the Financial Action Task force’s classification of  Yemen as a high-risk country and the measures the Arab country is taking to implement the recommendations of the taskforce.

In a related development, the UN confirmed in a statement that Secretary General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to arrive in Jordan to take part in the event on March 27, two days before the heads of state’s meeting.

During his visit, Guterres is expected to meet with top senior officials and visit the Zaatari Refugee Camp, the UN said, adding that he would take part in the summit, where he is going to meet with participating heads of states and governments, as well as Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.