Arab economic summit to focus on poverty

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

KUWAIT CITY (AFP) — The first ever Arab economic summit, to be hosted by Kuwait in January, will focus on worsening poverty and unemployment in the Arab world, and boosting inter-Arab trade, a minister said on Thursday.

"The summit will tackle the aggravation of poverty and unemployment and the deterioration of living conditions in the Arab world, besides boosting modest trade," Kuwaiti Finance Minister Mustafa al-Shamali said.

The summit will also discuss investments, infrastructure projects and the issue of reforms, Shamali told the official KUNA news agency after chairing a preparatory meeting at Arab League headquarters in Cairo.

A large number of Arab leaders are expected to attend the January 19-20 summit. The meeting in oil-rich Kuwait will be the...