Arab economic unity council meets in Baghdad

The Arab economic unity council holds its 72nd session today in Baghdad with the participation of the ministers of the economy in nine Arab states including Syria.

The meetings which will last for two days will be attended by the ministers of the economy in Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Djibouti, Mauritania and the Palestinian Authority as well as federations and councils affiliated to the council.

In statements issued on Tuesday by the Iraqi daily al-Joumhoreyah, the Iraqi minister of commerce Muhammad Mahdi Saleh said that the Arab ministers will discuss several topics relating to Arab economic activities, noting that during the meeting the foundation of a free trade area will be announced between each of Syria and Iraq and Egypt and Libya.

Saleh added that the participants will discuss the new strategy for Arab economic integration, the joint Arab economic work, revitalizing the common Arab market and supporting the private sector in Arab economic integration and development.

Economists and technicians experts from the said nine Arab states ended on Tuesday their preparatory meeting for the session, which was attended by the secretary general of the economic unity council Ahmad al-Jweili.

The participants in the meeting discussed in the agenda of the first ministerial meeting of its kind to be held in Baghdad since 1991.