21/11/1998
Al-Alam Alyom Newspaper 1998/NOVEMBER /21
Discussions in regards to Arab industrial integration have been raised once more, with the belief that we are now too late, as dialogue on this matter has exceeded forty years. The Common Arab Market is seen as an essential manifestation for such integration; however efficient actions need to be taken. ( Available in Arabic – German in PDF )
The dire need for an Arab industrial integration has been exhaustedly discussed over the past forty years; however the practical implementations seize to exist. It is time the matter was taken seriously as current global unities demand the necessity for Arab integration. In light of the matter at hand, various government officials expressed their views. The Director General of the Syrian Al Rachid expresses his doubts on the matter at hand, believing that the intentions were always there, but we lack the ability to act accordingly. The Chairman of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce articulated that a clear decision on behalf of all Arab heads of state is a necessity for the beginnings of such a market, in addition to the use of the European Market experience as a template for future Arab integration. The Chairman of Bavaria Egypt asserts that we are ten years late in accomplishing integration within the coming five years, in addition to the requirement of establishing a higher council for Arab industrial integration. Furthermore, Arab ministries of industry have unanimously agreed to the fulfillment of the rules of origin at the level of commodities, as such would assist in achieving Arab integration.