Academic study warns of impact of trade liberalization on Arab food security

An academic study warned against the negative impact of international trade liberalization on Arab imports, food in particular, in light of weak domestic production and dependence on imports.

Kuwaiti news agency KUNA said the study, conducted by professor of agricultural economy at Egyptian Assiout university Salah Ali Saleh, expected the bill of food imports for Arab and other developing nations to increase dramatically.

Annual losses are expected to reach $ 564 million, said the study which warns that many Arab states would become unable to finance their food imports. Food security, concluded the study, requires many reforms and a unified Arab strategy to bridge the gap between developing an developed nations.

The study underlined the need to preserve Arab water resources by defending them and rationalizing their consumption.