Closing session of Arab summit held

Kuwait, January 20 , SPA -- The closing session of the Arab Economic
Summit "In Solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza" was held here today.

Comoros President Ahmad Mohammad Abdullah delivered a speech in which
he thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia led by Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz for its support for Comoros.

Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Ahmad Nazif delivered a speech on behalf
of the Egyptian President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak.

Nazif called Arab leaders to set development priorities, proposing
the inclusion of five issues among the priorities.

These issues are: liberating the movement of capital among the states
and the contribution of the private sector and civil societies;
developing production in the Arab world by establishing regional
companies; developing trade among Arab countries; preparing a plan to
develop human resources through focusing on education, health,
culture, and providing job opportunities; and giving importance to
social issues.
Nazif said that trade among Arab countries did not exceed USD 126
billion in 2007, which is very low to trade among other blocs like
the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He said that trade among Arab countries was also low, ranging between
37 and 46 percent, while tourism among European countries equals 88
percent.

He stressed that Arab countries had the abilities to achieve
integration, emphasizing the significance of uniting efforts and
visions to overcome the effects of the world economic crisis with the
least possible losses and fastest time.

--More