Following the Arab spring déjà-vu regional recommendations for tackling high youth unemployment

The General Conference of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries ended its 42nd session in Beirut and issued recommendations to mobilize the role of the private sector in Arab economies in order to achieve Arab economic development and integration. The two-day event which was held in the permanent headquarters of the Union was organized in collaboration with the Lebanese Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Lebanon’s Central Bank, the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL), and with the support of Fransa Bank Group BLC and the Consolidated Contractors Company CCC. The meeting underlined the need to promote dialogue and cooperation between the Arab private sector and senior representatives of the Joint Arab Economic Action and to fight growing high levels of unemployment in the region through creative solutions. Recommendations included raising community awareness for supporting the youth, investing in vocational schools, creating recruitment opportunities and connecting entrepreneurs with funding sources. The conference reiterated its commitment to an Arab common market and as part of the global economy. Participants called on the forthcoming Arab Summit to issue a decision that will give priority to Arab products in the procurement of Arab governments. Other significant recommendations issued at the end of the conference called for investing in enhancing Arab manufacturing industries and therefore generating added values as well as investing in all forms of renewable energy, both in partnership and coordination between the private and public sectors. (As Safir, 27 March 2015)