Minister of Finance and National Economy, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, today led the kingdom’s delegation to meeting of the Arab League’s Economic and Social Council at ministerial level, ahead of the 32nd Arab Summit, set be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing the meeting, the minister highlighted the comprehensive development approach adopted by Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
In this regard, he stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving the goals of joint Arab action and advancing sustainable economic and social development paths towards more comprehensive levels for the benefit of all.
He extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Saudi leadership, government and people for hosting the preparatory meetings of the Economic and Social Council of the Arab League ahead of the 32nd Arab Summit.
The Finance Minister also congratulated Saudi Arabia on its presidency of the current session, held amid this crucial time in the history of the Arab region and the whole world, paying tribute to the Arab League Secretary-General and all staff of the Arab League’s Secretariat-General for the tremendous efforts to hold meetings and support joint Arab action.
Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa expressed Bahrain’s pride in its strong and fruitful cooperation with the Arab League, stressing the kingdom’s keenness to consolidate joint Arab action, as the best means to achieve more progress and prosperity for Arab peoples.
He took pride in the joint Arab efforts which led to the establishment of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), and strengthening its pivotal and important role on the international economic map?
He underlined the importance of planning, implementing and completing a number of joint projects in the field of infrastructure, transportation and energy to place the Arab economic system among the best economic blocs that contribute to the total output of the global economy, in light of the challenges facing the global economy, such as high inflation rates, high interest rates, and efforts to achieve food and water security.
The Minister of Finance indicated that Bahrain welcomes the resolution issued by the Arab League Council to allow Syria to resume its participation in the Arab League’s meetings, as Arab countries share interests and common destiny.
He stressed the need to step up joint Arab cooperation and broaden areas of cooperation among Arab states, which will enable them to face all development and economic challenges, as well as achieve sustainable development goals.
The Arab ministerial meeting discussed a number of social and economic topics on its agenda. It also reviewed ways to bolster joint Arab cooperation in all fields, especially regarding priority social, economic and development projects and programmes.
Source: Bahrain News Agency