Baghdad: Minister of Trade Athir Al-Ghurairi announced the outcomes of the preparatory meeting of the Ministerial Economic and Social Council for the Arab Summit, held today in Baghdad.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Ghurairi addressed reporters following the conclusion of the closed session, stating that the meeting discussed over 30 items related to economic and social affairs affecting Arab nations. These discussions included proposals from Iraq and other countries.

Al-Ghurairi highlighted that Iraq’s proposal involved establishing a Council of Arab Trade Ministers and introducing provisions related to the blue economy and food security. These initiatives aim to foster community development, sustainable growth, and Arab economic integration, moving towards a customs union and a significant free trade zone for Arab countries. The Socio-Economic Council’s senior officials agreed upon and voted on all provisions, which will be presented to Arab leaders for approval at the upcoming summit meeting next Saturday.

The agreed-upon provisions encompass the customs union, the removal of barriers to intra-Arab trade, and the support for increased and developed trade exchanges between Arab countries. The provisions also emphasize the importance of the industrial sector and the flexibility of the production system, which are crucial for the Arab economy.