The General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries is an Arab regional non-governmental organization that represents the Arab private sector on the regional and international levels. The General Union calls for strengthening economic integration and development among the Arab countries by coordinating their socio-economic development plans and policies. It represents the Arab private sector and emphasizes its role in accelerating economic growth and development. The General Union assumes a major role in promoting cooperation among Arab Chambers and coordinates their efforts towards regional cooperation. It works towards promoting Arab economic interests abroad, particularly with respect to exports and for the rationalization of imports and investments.
A Research Department publishes two periodicals, two annual reports, specialized books, and proceedings of the General Union conferences and seminars. One of the periodicals is the magazine “AL Omran Al- Arabi” specialized in the economic developments and events that concern the private sector in the Arab countries. The other periodical “Awraq Iktissadiya” is for specialized studies and articles on areas of interest to the business community. The most important publication of the General Union is The Arab Economic Report. That is a comprehensive report that reviews the economic developments in each of the Arab countries.
The General Union activities are:
- General Conference: A biannual forum in cooperation with the League of Arab States and the Inter- Arab Investment Guarantee Corporation organized for Arab businessmen to discuss major issues relating to Arab economies and current economic developments, and to make proposals for enhancing cooperation and integration.
- Organization of seminars: with the purpose of studying specific issues relating to the development of the private sector in the Arab countries.
- The Library Information System.