Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University Hosts Tentative Study on the Arab Least Developed Countries Meeting

AMMAN-------- December 28, 2014------ A preliminary meeting chaired by HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org) was held at the regional headquarters of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University to discuss a tentative study on the Arab Least Developed Countries, that are members of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), namely; Palestine, Yemen and Sudan. The study was prepared upon the request of the three countries and of the Secretariat General of the Arab League.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Mohammed Abdel Fattah, officer-in-charge of the Arab Least Developed Countries portfolio at the Secretariat General of the Arab League, Mr. Daoud Al-Deek, representing the Ministry of National Economy in Palestine and Mr. Abdul-Aziz Mohamed Mabrouk, Director General of Foreign Trade in Sudan.

In addition, the meeting witnessed the participation of Ms. Randa Amayri, Head of the Research and Studies Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs– the Diplomatic Institute in Jordan while Yemen representative did not participate due to the prevailing circumstances in his country.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh emphasized the significance of the meeting, which allowed TAG-Org to cooperate with the Arab League extending his appreciation to the Arab League for entrusting TAG-Org with this task.

Representatives discussed the study prepared and presented by Ms. Amayri, which included a comprehensive vision for a draft study on the economic situation in the three countries, as well as an analysis of the status quo of the least developed countries and growing economic blocs.

The study also included a questionnaire indicating the projects required from the Secretariat General of the Arab League. The attendees put forth some ideas and proposals confirming that the study is mainly intended to fulfill the needs of these countries according to their situations and circumstances.

The meeting stressed the importance of education and capacity building and made reference to Kuwait Declaration issued by the twenty-fifth Arab Summit, which called upon concerned parties in charge of education in the Arab states to develop and qualify the educational institutions to realize their mission more efficiently and professionally. Kuwait Declaration also calls for upgrading the quality of all teaching curricula in line with the modern developments and technologies.

Moreover, the meeting highlighted the urgency for the study to indicate the implementation of the Arab Summit resolutions on the Literacy Plan for the Decade (2014-2024) that includes three themes of literacy (written - digital - cultural). The meeting also called for considering this project a top priority, as it was adopted by a decision of the Arab leaders and requires implementation only. Accordingly, it was decided to prepare a program for the project’s implementation to be summited to forthcoming meeting of the Economic and Social Council for approval.

The meeting recommended making use of the study prepared by Talal Abu-Ghazaleh & Co. Consulting in relation to the Cost of Inter-Arab Trade.

It is worth mentioning that Cost of Inter-Arab Trade Conference held in cooperation with the Arab League and Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization in Amman last August recommended providing technical support to Palestine, Sudan and Yemen to develop their economies and foreign trade. The required technical support will be achieved through the assistance of TAG-Org in conducting studies and field research on the economic situation in these countries through TAG-Org offices located therein, in cooperation with the Economic Bureau at the Secretariat General of the Arab League. TAG-Org endeavors came in implementation of the resolutions adopted by previous Arab summits and the Economic and Social Council which called for providing all forms of support to the member states of the GAFTA, particularly in Palestine, Sudan and Yemen.