Third Forum on
Arab Business Community and the WTO Agreements

(Beirut: 3-4 July, 2007)

Information Note

I. Introduction

As the issues of globalization and regional integration gain more attention since the establishment of the World Trade Organization and trade related negotiations that followed, regional organizations, governments and business communities are becoming more aware of the opportunities and challenges these issues present. In the aim to increase the awareness of the Arab business community on the latest developments concerning the World Trade Organization's negotiations and their respective implications, the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab countries, and in collaboration with the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are organizing the "Third Forum on Arab Business Community and the WTO Agreements”. The Forum will be held in Beirut, Lebanon during the period 3-4 July, 2007.

During the two day discussions and deliberations, the Forum aims to provide a summary on the progress achieved in the on-going trade negotiations on “The Doha Development Agenda” since the convening of the “Second Forum on Arab Business Community and the WTO Agreements” held in 2004, and to provide a platform for representatives of the Arab business community to discuss issues of concern in the context of the WTO negotiations.

•  Progress achieved in the on-going negotiations of the "Doha Development Agenda".
•  Major issues of concern to the Arab Business Community in the context of the WTO negotiations.
      •  Market access for non-agricultural products.
      •  Trade in services - Tourism.
      •  Trade facilitation.
•  Round table discussion on "Arab Business Community and The Recent International Trends".
      •  Regional and bilateral agreements.
      •  Arab-European dialogue.
      • Increasing exports through private sector.

II. Basic Information

Date & Venue

3-4 July, 2007
Al Safir Heliopolitan Hotel *****, Beirut –Lebanon.
Special prices per night for participants.
Contact Person for Reservation: Miss Innas Ramayti
Tel:   00 961 1 810555
Fax:  00 961 1 802189
E-mail: reserve@safirheliopolitan.com

Invited Parties

      1- Members of the Unions and Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries.
      2- Members of the Joint Arab Foreign Chambers.
      3- Representatives of the Concerned Ministries in Arab Countries.
      4- Arab Businessmen and Businesswomen.
      5- International Organizations: World Trade Organizations (WTO); World Tourism  Organization; The United Nations           Conference on Trade And Development (UNCTAD); United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO);           World Customs Organization (WCO); International Trade Center (ITC).
      6- Regional Organizations: League of Arab States; Arab Monetary Fund; Union of Arab Banks; Arab Industrial           Development and Mining Organization; Arab Organization for Agricultural Development; Arab Fund for Social and           Economic Development; Arab Tourism Organization, and others.
      7- UN Regional Commissions.

Languages

Arabic and English.

Correspondence:

The Forum welcomes the contribution of the participants either through submitting working papers or interventions in any of the Forum's sessions. In this context, please notify ESCWA and send the working paper not later than 20 June, 2007 to make the necessary arrangements.