The Secretary General of the Union of Arab Chambers, Dr. Khaled Hanafy, praised in his speech at the conclusion of the 9th edition of the Arab-Chinese Businessmen Conference and the 7th Symposium for Investments, the constructive and important discussions of the working sessions, which aim to enhance the future of economic cooperation between the Arab countries and the People's Republic of China.
Hanafy considered that "the Arab-Chinese relations were distinguished in the past, but that relationship should not remain confined to the framework of the past, and hence the future of the relationship must be different, especially in light of the circumstances and changes that the world is witnessing in light of the Corona pandemic," explaining that "the type of relationship that prevailed in the past and was limited to traditional commercial exchange, has changed today and is no longer appropriate for the current stage."
He added: "Many Arab countries are witnessing tremendous developments, and on this basis a strategic partnership must be built between the Arab and Chinese sides, based on investment in minds and brains, and for that, Chinese investment in the Arab world must take a different form, especially since the Arab region is considered central and is a major gateway to Asia, Africa and Latin America, within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative launched by the Chinese President, which is an ambitious and strategic initiative."
Hanafy pointed out that "the Arab private sector has a strong desire to cooperate with the Chinese private sector and giant Chinese companies, and this requires easing the restrictions and procedures imposed by China on foreign investors," considering that "the continuation of the pattern prevailing today in the form of cooperative relations, will not lead to any fruitful results in the future."
He also affirmed that "the Arab and Chinese sides, with their important resources, must harness their investments in the fourth industrial revolution and the digital economy," clarifying that "the Arab region is qualified to attract huge investments in these vital areas."
Hanafy considered that "the world today needs to fortify its food security, and that requires strengthening supply chains, and from this standpoint, the Arab countries that have strategic ports can play a pivotal role at the level of global supply chains, through the process of networking between production sources and markets in digital form, which serves the common vital interests."
Source (Union of Arab Chambers, Edited)
