| Kippreport.com

UAE focused on joint efforts to strengthen Arab economy: Al Mansouri

April 4, 2010 8:49 by Ben Flanagan

Dubai, April 3, 2010: The UAE Minister of Economy His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri stressed that joint efforts to further strengthen the Arab economy is a high priority for the UAE. He was commenting on the results of the meetings of the Arab Economic and Social Council, an affiliate of the Arab League, ahead of the 22nd Arab Summit, in Sirt, Libya.

“The meeting was fruitful and the UAE expressed its readiness to contribute to be part of implementing the projects agreed. Arab youth, small and medium businesses, innovation and research were important topics of discussion. The UAE is exerting huge efforts to develop the performance of youth by adopting ambitious initiatives to encourage innovation and creativity and is currently establishing incubators for this purpose. The UAE also launched a national plan to develop the SME sector to be major supporter of the national economy.”

He added: “We are ready to share our experiences with the Arab countries to encourage innovation and develop the abilities of the Arab youth to be able to compete on both local and international levels”.

Mr Al Mansouri said the meeting discussed range of economic and social issues and reports, including proposals on developing green belts in Arab countries and introducing Arabic as an official language into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Al Mansouri said the meeting also highlighted issues such as Arab project to link roads and to form the Union of Arab Customs. “These topics are crucial to enhance the trade between the Arab countries and the UAE is committed to exert all efforts to support the growth of the Arab economy.”