The Arab Union of Customs Executives participated with a delegation consisting of Mr. Samir Abu Al-Nasr, Secretary-General, and Mr. Mohamed Sakran, Assistant Secretary-General, in the preparatory meeting for the First International Conference on “Sustainable Investment,” scheduled to be held in October 2019. The union’s participation in this meeting comes within the framework of its plan to contribute to joint Arab work.
The meeting began with a speech by His Excellency Ambassador Mohamed Al-Rubaie, Secretary-General of the Arab Economic Unity Council, who expressed his happiness at the distinguished attendance. He noted that since its establishment, the Economic Unity Council has been striving toward Arab economic integration, having established four Arab investment companies under its umbrella, including the Arab Livestock Development Company, Akdimia Pharmaceuticals, and the Arab Mining and Industry Company based in Iraq.
His Excellency pointed out that the volume of intra-Arab trade remained for a very long time between 8.5% and 10%, but unfortunately, recently, this volume has decreased to between 1.5% and 2%. He added that efforts must focus on sustainable investment in education and health, as success in these areas would place the Arab nation at the forefront of nations as it once was.
Mr. Samir Abu Al-Nasr, Secretary-General of the Arab Union of Customs Executives, emphasized that to develop a vision for Arab economic integration for sustainable development, several measures must be taken, including the swift issuance of a unified Arab customs law, followed by the establishment of a unified Arab customs union, which is one of the most important goals of the Customs Executives Union. Also, the issuance of a unified customs tariff, the establishment of an entirely Arab-owned company with Arab shares for Arab transport (land, sea, air) to rival foreign companies used more by Arabs than foreigners themselves, as well as the activation of the single window system.
Abu Al-Nasr added that the union submitted a study to the Arab Economic Unity Council on facilitating procedures at customs ports as one of the mechanisms for Arab economic integration.
It is worth noting that the meeting was attended by environmental expert Major General Magdy Al-Sharqawi, Chairman of the Arab Environment Association, Prof. Magdy Malouk, consultant Eng. Mahmoud Al-Mohreky, and some members of specialized Arab unions. A practical model of the “Ideal Habitat” was also presented.
