The Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers, Dr. Khaled Hanafi, met at the headquarters of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Vienna, the Director-General of the organization, Dr. Gerd Muller, in the presence of the Dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps, the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mohamed Al-Mulla.
During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the "Union of Arab Chambers" and "UNIDO" in the next phase. It was also agreed to put forward a number of ideas related to UNIDO's support for the establishment and development of industrial clusters in the Arab region, provided that the start would be, for example, but not limited to, the Arab Republic of Egypt, or any other Arab country.
The discussion centered on cooperation in organizing the Arab-African Summit on Entrepreneurship and Investment, which is scheduled to be held in cooperation between "UNIDO" and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa "Badia", in the United Arab Emirates from 8 to 10 May. In conjunction with the activities of the annual investment forum, which is held under the patronage of the President of the UAE.
The Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers praised the role played by UNIDO in the Arab region. Pointing to the close cooperation relationship between the Union of Arab Chambers and UNIDO through the Investment and Technology Promotion Office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in Bahrain. Many important events are organized annually between the two parties, including the "International Forum for Entrepreneurship and Investment" and the "Arab Rally to Support Entrepreneurs" competition, and other events that serve to enhance the reality of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs in the Arab world.
Secretary-General Khaled Hanafi touched on the ongoing preparations to organize the second edition of the initiative to live independently, launched by the Union of Arab Chambers in cooperation with the League of Arab States and the “International Expo for People of Determination”.
Hanafi pointed to "The importance of raising the level of cooperation between the Union and UNIDO in order to establish centers for entrepreneurship and business incubators in the Arab Chambers.” He explained, "The Union of Arab Chambers had launched, in partnership with the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), an initiative to support entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs in the Arab world. Egypt was the first station of this initiative, hoping that this experience and initiative will be generalized to the rest of the Arab countries in coordination with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization - UNIDO.” He pointed out "The role played by the Arab private sector in economic development, as it represents 75% of the size of the economy and employment opportunities." He stressed, "The Arab private sector has the ability to compete, by investing in entrepreneurship and innovation, which enables it to catch up with progress and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and to achieve the ambitions that everyone aspires to."
He stressed “The need to work on building a sustainable Arab economy by encouraging entrepreneurship and youth initiatives. In addition to supporting research centers in Arab universities and creating departments in Arab universities concerned with entrepreneurship. As well as stimulating the Arab economy by supporting small and medium enterprises by supporting Arab youth.”
For his part, the Director General of UNIDO praised the role played by the Union of Arab Chambers, he stressed, "UNIDO is putting all its capabilities and capabilities in order to maximize the reality of entrepreneurship in the Arab world." Considering, "The Union of Arab Chambers is a key partner in this field," noting that "the fourth edition of the International Forum for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will be launched in 2023, and this year new sectors will be added, such as interior design, fashion design, and smart agriculture."
Source (Union of Arab Chambers)
