Damascus hosts Arab industrial development conference today

The eighth conference on industrial development in the Arab states will open today at the Umayyad Palace Conference Hall in Damascus. It is organized by the Arab Organization for Industrial Development, and the Syrian Ministry of Industry, with the themes being "Arab industry under international changes."

Participating in the conference are several Arab industry ministers, a representative of the Arab League, UNIDO's director general, the director of the Arab Organization for Industrial Development and Mining and delegations representing Arab scientific institutions.

The conference which will last until June 25 will tackle several key issues, especially international changes and challenges impeding Arab industry, partnership between Arab states and industrial countries, the requirements of Arab industrial integration amid international developments, improving the investment climate in the Arab states, the role of scientific research centers in industrial development and production efficiency, raising the competitive capacity of Arab products.

Moreover, the conferees will meet for several workshops, addressing textile industries, government car-manufacturing, spare parts, agricultural machinery and materials involved in the sector of electricity and electronic industries.

Arab countries participating in the conference are Syria, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Lebanon, Tunisia and Qatar.