Jordan supports joint Arab economic action — industry minister

AMMAN — The Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Youssef Shamali, underlined Jordan’s commitment to supporting efforts to strengthen joint Arab economic action in various fields, and coordinate positions under the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.اضافة اعلان

Shamali made the remarks Sunday during a preparatory teleconference for Arab trade ministers ahead of the 12th WTO ministerial conference, following an invite from Saudi Arabia.

Shamali said Jordan supports expediting the accession of Arab countries to the WTO, stressing the need for joint coordination to back Palestinians and mobilize international support to grant them observer status at the WTO. This comes as part of efforts to guarantee all the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people as a step towards achieving a productive economy that can integrate with the world.

The minister stressed the importance of coordinating Arab positions on the most important topics on the negotiation agenda within the framework of the WTO, and to come up with a unified Arab vision that serves the interests and concerns of Arab countries in preparation for the organization’s 12th ministerial conference.

The minister commended Saudi Arabia for its role in coordinating the positions of Arab countries, especially within the permanent Arab missions in Geneva and within the framework of the Arab League, calling for granting the league observer status at the WTO.

“On November 30, the world will turn to the 12th ministerial conference of the WTO, which will be held this year amid economic turmoil that has burdened the global economy, especially the economies of developing and least developed countries,” Shamali said in his speech.

Jordan, he said, supports the development of a reform agenda of the WTO to keep pace with developments in the global trade track, and the importance of finding an urgent solution to the dispute settlement system, finalizing negotiations on fisheries subsidies, and extending the decision on the e-commerce work program.

Shamali pointed out the need to activate the role of Arab countries in the organization to ensure that developing countries get a share of international trade and enhance their market access, noting that ruling out the Arabic language from the list of official languages for the WTO limits the role of Arabs.

He also underscored the importance of articulating a multilateral response to address the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing preventative practices to curb the rise in global prices and mitigate the impact on small economies.

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