Study shows weak inter-Arab agriculture trade
Regional, Economics, 11/23/2001

Inter-Arab agricultural trade does not exceed 10 percent of overall trade among the Arab countries last year, a fact showing that the Arab world was depending on western markets to secure agriculture needs, showed an economic study Thursday.

The study, quoted by Kuwaiti news agency KUNA, said the Arab economy was facing a new environment which has long-term economic changes. this needs more integration between Arab countries to counter international economic blocs and the swinging oil prices, suggested the study.

It said the Arab food balance's deficit reached 14.7 billion dollars last year. The study said the weak marketing structure was one of the major obstacles against the development of the agricultural sector.

The Arab countries lack a complete system for the operations of selection, loading and unloading, as well as packing of agricultural products, said the study. The shortage of financial allocations for the inter-Arab agriculture trade and the political developments also caused a set back for this sector, showed the study.

It called for the development of infrastructure of the Arab foreign trade via the organization of regular sea and air routes, the development of communications and means of storage.

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