World Bank calls for international conference without Israel
Regional, Economics, 10/31/1997

The World Bank's Deputy President for the Middle East and North Africa region Dr. Kamal Darwish called for an economic conference similar to the Mena Conference to which all the Middle East countries will be invited--but with the exception of Israel--in order to discuss the horizons of Arab economic cooperation and to boost inter-Arab trade dealings.

He said that differences over participation in the Mena Conference due to be held in Qatar this November should not encumber efforts to increase Arab economic cooperation. He stated that there are many fields of cooperation which do not need the participation of Israel at all. He also added that it is useless at the present time to talk about joint Arab-Israeli projects.

He confirmed that Egypt is no longer in need of loans from the World Bank, as the bank is offering technical assistance only. He commended that the positive economic development which Egypt is witnessing, makes Egypt attractive for international investments.

Darwish expressed his optimism regarding the future of the economies of the region which should witness a boom in the upcoming 10 years.

Previous Stories:
  Doha conference is connected with peace progress, Arab League says   (10/30/1997)
  Iran: Mena conference is a US-Israeli conspiracy   (10/29/1997)
  Masri: I will not go to Mena summit   (10/23/1997)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search