The heads of the Arab delegations participating in the meeting of the 133rd session of the Council of the Union of Arab Chambers, which was hosted by the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, had a meeting with His Highness, the Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The Prince stressed during the meeting that "The leaders of the Arab countries, in light of the circumstances and challenges surrounding our countries, are working hard to achieve the interests of the nations and the interests of their people, and are fully aware that cooperation and integration are the two pillars of achieving growth and progress, and that consultation is the key to reaching solutions that we all seek to support."

He continued, “We are also aware of the important and vital roles played by the chambers of commerce and industry in our Arab countries and their constant endeavor - Through experience spanning several decades -  to revive the private sector in difficult circumstances and huge challenges, most countries of the world are suffering from its repercussions and are seeking to address them, especially the crisis of the Corona pandemic and the economic situation that many countries have been suffering from in the recent period.”

He pointed out, "As we affirm the vital role of the private sector in the march of the economy of our Arab countries and the role of chambers of commerce and industry in them in supporting it and consolidating cooperation to advance the wheel of Arab economic development. We are counting on all of you through your tireless pursuit and your capable efforts to ensure that the Arab economy is helped towards recovery and advancement through modern visions and clear plans to improve the performance of the private sector. We recommend that you communicate positively and exchange information and economic indicators between you, such as the chambers of commerce and industry, and the relevant government agencies in our countries."

He stressed, "We believe that the economy is the backbone of life, and it has an important role in achieving the growth and development of people, so you should promote the concept of community and individual service, just as the private sector needs to pay attention to it. Your role is great in benefiting the people through developing the economy of our Arab countries and providing job opportunities for their people.”

In turn, Chairman of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry Muhammad Jassim Al-Sager praised the meeting and the lofty directives it included to make efforts to build a prosperous and bright Arab future, through more hard work and empowering the private sector, as one of the most important pillars of strategic development in all fields.

Al-Sager pointed out that “His Highness the Crown Prince praised the role of the private sector while stressing the importance of the social responsibility entrusted to this sector to advance its real role and advance the development process in Arab countries. His Highness also stressed the need to advise the sector's leaders, make its voice heard, and work to activate its positive role at various levels, especially development and economics.”

For his part, the President of the 133rd session of the Council of the Union of Arab Chambers, Vice-President of the Federation Council, President of the Federation of Chambers of Industry, Commerce and Handicrafts in Tunisia, Samir Majoul, praised the meeting of His Highness the Crown Prince and the warm reception the Arab delegation received. This confirms the keenness and desire of the Kuwaiti leadership and its belief in the importance of cooperation with the Arab private sector and building real partnerships that push forward to achieve growth and prosperity in the Arab countries.

Over two days, the Kuwait Chamber hosted the 133rd session, with the participation of heads and representatives of federations and chambers members of the Union of Arab Chambers.

In a welcoming speech, Al-Sager expressed his optimism for the success of the current session of the Federation, pointing to the importance of the presence and wide participation it witnessed. Al-Sager expressed his happiness for the Kuwait Chamber hosting the work of the current session, and the meanings and connotations it bears that reflect the consolidation of Arab brotherly relations and the depth of historical ties.

Al-Sager stressed the aspiration to enhance cooperation and activate the role of the private sector to achieve more developmental achievements that serve all countries of Arab society. Appreciating the Union of Arab Chambers for its agreement to include the issue of supporting the Jerusalem Endowment Fund on the agenda of the current session. To allow those in charge of it to go to the private sector in the Arab countries to clarify the role of the Fund and its efforts to support the steadfast city of Jerusalem in the face of Zionist attacks and its reconstruction. Meanwhile, the issue received wide attention from the participants in the meeting, amid Arab praise for everything that would support the steadfastness of the Jerusalemites.

In turn, the Vice-President of the Union of Arab Chambers, Samir Majul, expressed his happiness at holding the meeting of the 133rd session of the Union in Kuwait. He valued the presence and participation of Arab countries, praising the efforts made by the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce to make this event a success, which contributes to drawing Arab economic policies in various fields. He stressed that the Union of Arab Chambers will redouble its efforts to follow up on the projects of the development process, with the hope that, through this meeting, decisions will achieve more progress and prosperity.

The meeting's agenda was opened by adopting the listed items, which included several topics and issues related to the Federation's activities and activities during the last period. The resolutions and recommendations of the session (132) were also ratified, and their implementation of them was reviewed. As well as reviewing the minutes of the meeting and the report of the financial and executive committees of the union, as well as discussing the union’s financial situation, the final budget, and the estimated draft budget for 2023. Obstacles to inter-Arab trade in light of digital transformation and sustainable development needs were also discussed, in addition to the emerging challenges in global trade and the options and opportunities available to the Arab economy. The Council of the Union of Arab Chambers members were also briefed on the Union’s activity during 2022, and the remarkable progress it has achieved to confront the changes that have occurred in the global economy. The resulting measures at all levels, as the Union’s interest shifted to the prevailing global trend, which is the interest in the digital economy and the entrepreneurial community and the exploitation of youth energies and new ideas in the business world.

Recommendations of Kuwait Declaration

In light of the conditions that the global economy is going through, the Board of Directors of the Federation of Arab Chambers, at its 133rd session, which was held in Kuwait City, at the kind invitation of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry on November 9, 2022, called on the Arab governments to:

1-  Achieving the four freedoms that enhance Arab economic integration:

- Freedom of movement of individuals: by granting multiple long-term visas to businessmen through the Arab Chambers.

- Freedom of movement of capital and ease of transfers.

- Freedom of movement of goods by removing non-tariff obstacles: unifying specifications and standards and standardizing registration procedures.

- Freedom of movement of services by expediting the adoption of the Agreement on Liberalization of Trade in Services.

2- Working on establishing Arab value and supply chains through Arab hub ports and sea lines, logistical centers, supporting multimodal transport, and establishing an Arab commodity exchange.

3- Expediting the transformation of all agreements and legislation into effective procedures that achieve transparency and governance and make these agreements bear fruit.

4- Facilitating the private sector to play its societal role in developing and supporting education, training, and entrepreneurship to create productive generations that keep pace with developments, with a focus on young men and women entrepreneurs.

5- Encouraging and empowering women's participation in economic activity.

6- Activating the partnership of governments and the private sector in all economic sectors, especially in infrastructure.

7- Activating the role of Arab banks and development funds in supporting investments and contributing to and reconstructing countries that have been exposed to crises.

8- Appreciating the participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Group of Twenty (G20) and the Federation of Saudi Chambers in the B20, representing the Arab private sector.

9- The private sector is proud of Qatar's hosting of the World Cup, which opened up prospects for Arab companies to implement projects and gain expertise.

10- Commitment of states to promote administrative reform to achieve efficiency in services, reduce corruption, achieve justice and flexibility in doing business.

The Council noted that the success of the private sector in performing its tasks is the success of Arab governments in achieving sustainable development, prosperity, and people's well-being. The Council of the Union of Arab Chambers expressed its sincere pride and appreciation for the keenness of His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (may God protect him), to meet with the delegation of heads and leaders of Arab chambers and the private sector. The Council commended the warm welcome the delegation received from His Highness, which confirms the keenness and sincere and genuine desire on the part of the stakeholders in the Arab countries for the importance of cooperation with the private sector and building a real partnership with it, which would achieve well-being and prosperity for our Arab countries and peoples.

Source (Union of Arab Chambers)