Featured profile at the Economic and Social Council table

Saida Hachisha, Director General of Economic Cooperation of the Tunisian Ministry of Commerce, said the meeting of the Economic and Social Council would complement the arrangements for the creation of an Arab Free Trade Area, which would help develop trade between member countries and facilitate the movement of goods and services between them.

"Studies are underway to establish a unified Arab customs union and liberalize services," she added. "Member States are also conducting parallel studies to finalize the Arab Plan for the Housing Strategy and the Arab Movement on Climate Change Negotiations at the Economic Level".

The preparatory work for the Arab summit, to be held in Tunis from March 26 to 31, began on Tuesday.

Kamal Hassan Ali, deputy secretary general of the Economic Sector of the Arab League, said on Tuesday that intra-Arab merchandise trade would rise to 12 percent in 2018, while services would increase by 38 percent.

Hassan added in a statement to the Tunisian news agency "Wat" that the improvement of intra-Arab trade indicators had begun with the launch of the implementation of the Great Arab Trade Area in 2005.

"Prior to 2005, intra-Arab trade accounted for only 5% and about 12% of commodities, while services exceeded 38%." We anticipate an increase in these numbers, given the evolution of Arab world through the agreement on rules of Arab origin, "said Hassan Ali.

He pointed out that the Arab countries had reached a detailed agreement on most of these products.

In another context, the Arab League ended the Beirut round of negotiations on the trade in services agreement and four countries signed the agreement, which is waiting for other countries to ratify this agreement. agreement to start implementing it.

"The Arab Trade Zone is a stage of Arab economic integration," he said, adding that the Arab League had developed a mechanism to compel Arab countries to implement the decisions of the Economic and Social Council. in the aftermath of the recent economic summit in Beirut.

He pointed out that some countries are signing joint agreements and not implementing them, which the League of Arab States is committed to implementing in accordance with the new working mechanisms.