The Union of Arab Chambers (UAC), represented by its Secretary General Dr. Khaled Hanafi, signed with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) represented by its Secretary General Johnny Denton, a cooperation agreement dated December 6. This was at the Chamber’s headquarters in the French capital, Paris, in the presence of the First Vice President of the Union of Arab Chambers, President of the Tunisian Federation of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts, Samir Magoul.
Through the agreement, the two parties agreed to cooperate in the following areas: conflict resolution services, entrepreneurship, cooperation, and participation in events and initiatives that serve common goals, linking Arab chambers with the WCF platform of the International Chamber of Commerce.
Through the agreement, the two sides will promote their joint activities and jointly promote initiatives related to the promotion and development of entrepreneurship. Such as the "Arab Rally Competition for Entrepreneurship" organized by the Union of Arab Chambers (UAC) in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization - UNIDO.
Under the agreement, the two parties will cooperate in participating in organizing the Arab Summit for Small and Medium Enterprises, which is held every year in one of the countries of the Arab world. In addition, the agreement supports and expands the scope of the e-commerce acceleration program in Arab countries.
Under the agreement, the Union of Arab Chambers will participate in policy discussions with the International Chamber of Commerce on how to expand the capabilities of small and medium-sized Arab companies at the regional and international levels. The two parties will also make available publications and documents of general interest issued by the other party to their members and networks.
Commenting on the signing of the agreement, the Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers, Dr. Khaled Hanafi, noted that “The signing of the agreement with the International Chamber of Commerce, which is the largest and most representative trade organization in the world, as it is the voice that rises in defense of the global business sector as a force for economic growth, job creation, and well-being.” He considered that “given the closely intertwined national economies these days, government decisions have become of much stronger international dimensions and consequences than they were in the past. Therefore, the Union of Arab Chambers, with its representation of the Arab private sector, is very concerned with signing such an agreement with the International Chamber of Commerce. In order to protect the interests of the Arab chambers and the Arab private sector, as well as to strengthen cooperation between the Arab and international private sectors in a way that enhances the mutual interests of both sides.”
For his part, the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce, Johnny Dentour, commented on the signing of the agreement, saying: “This agreement between the Union of Arab Chambers and the International Chamber of Commerce is not the first of its kind. Rather, the two parties are linked to a cooperation agreement that was previously signed. However, the advantage of this agreement is that it is in line with the requirements of the global changes taking place, which require concerted international efforts to confront and keep pace with them to strengthen the foundations of the global economy.”
Denton stressed that “cooperation between the International Chamber of Commerce and the General Secretariat of the Union of Arab Chambers will undoubtedly have positive returns for both sides, especially for the Union of Arab Chambers. The agreement represents an important and effective framework in highlighting the union’s role and conveying its point of view to support the aspirations of the Arab private sector in the context of working to achieve development and progress.”
Source (Union of Arab Chambers)
