02 December 2007
MUSCAT -- Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry, has said that though Intra-Arab trade is still limited and not exceeding 10 per cent, Arab countries have good potential to increase commercial exchange in foodstuff and other commodities. He explained that Arab countries have signed the Greater Arab Free Trade Zone Agreement, but the agreement is still lacking some regulations and procedures, such as the principles of origin. He noted that the Sultanate began to exempt commodities originating in Arab states that signed the pact from customs tax.
The minister made the remarks when he opened here yesterday a regional seminar on the theme "Principles governing products of origin within the context of the Greater Arab Free Trade Zone". He hoped that the seminar will issue recommendations on the principles of origin and added value of the domestic product. On his turn, Ahmed Mohammed Luqman, Director-General of the Arab Labour Organisation (ALO) highlighted the importance of Arab economic co-operation and the need to enable it to keep pace with the new world order which is based on liberalisation of trade within the context of the regional conglomerations.
In his speech, Luqman said the success of the Arab free trade zone is not only the governments responsibility; it is also the responsibility of other authorities concerned, including businessmen organisations. Jameel bin Ali bin Sultan, Deputy Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) indicated that the OCCI is working with authorities concerned with Arab economic work, internally and externally, in order to familiarise the private sector with developments on the Arab Economic Projects front. He hoped that the seminar will shed light on the Arab agreement on the topic of the principles of origin.
The event is organised by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Arab Labour Organisation (ALO). Two working sessions were held, the first one dealt with potentials of the Greater Trade Zone and principles of origin, while the second one dealt with principles of origin within the Sultanate's Detailed Agreements. The opening ceremony of the seminar was attended by Khalil bin Abdullah al Khunji, OCCI Chairman, under-secretaries, OCCI's board members, representatives of the ALO, government's department officials, private sector establishments and Omani businessmen.
MUSCAT -- Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry, has said that though Intra-Arab trade is still limited and not exceeding 10 per cent, Arab countries have good potential to increase commercial exchange in foodstuff and other commodities. He explained that Arab countries have signed the Greater Arab Free Trade Zone Agreement, but the agreement is still lacking some regulations and procedures, such as the principles of origin. He noted that the Sultanate began to exempt commodities originating in Arab states that signed the pact from customs tax.
The minister made the remarks when he opened here yesterday a regional seminar on the theme "Principles governing products of origin within the context of the Greater Arab Free Trade Zone". He hoped that the seminar will issue recommendations on the principles of origin and added value of the domestic product. On his turn, Ahmed Mohammed Luqman, Director-General of the Arab Labour Organisation (ALO) highlighted the importance of Arab economic co-operation and the need to enable it to keep pace with the new world order which is based on liberalisation of trade within the context of the regional conglomerations.
In his speech, Luqman said the success of the Arab free trade zone is not only the governments responsibility; it is also the responsibility of other authorities concerned, including businessmen organisations. Jameel bin Ali bin Sultan, Deputy Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) indicated that the OCCI is working with authorities concerned with Arab economic work, internally and externally, in order to familiarise the private sector with developments on the Arab Economic Projects front. He hoped that the seminar will shed light on the Arab agreement on the topic of the principles of origin.
The event is organised by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Arab Labour Organisation (ALO). Two working sessions were held, the first one dealt with potentials of the Greater Trade Zone and principles of origin, while the second one dealt with principles of origin within the Sultanate's Detailed Agreements. The opening ceremony of the seminar was attended by Khalil bin Abdullah al Khunji, OCCI Chairman, under-secretaries, OCCI's board members, representatives of the ALO, government's department officials, private sector establishments and Omani businessmen.
© Oman Daily Observer 2007
