ECA and UMA plan joint work to achieve regional integration

The Economic Commission for Africa (Office for North Africa) and the General Secretariat of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) held Tuesday 6 December in Rabat a bilateral, exchange and consultation meeting.

"Our purpose was first to take stock of the work we have done over the last two years, which have been characterised by many achievements, and, second, to schedule events and activities to help step up economic integration in Maghreb countries," said Reda El Merini, Director of Economic Affairs at the UMA General Secretariat.

"Cooperation with the Arab Maghreb Union is a key component of our office's programme, our team is here to help UMA make this partnership a lever for effective integration in North Africa", said Omar Abdourahman, Acting Director of the ECA office for North Africa. "Our support to UMA can take various forms, our objective being to help the economies of member countries achieve structural transformation and integration", he added.

ECA and UMA have been working together since 1994. Since 2014, they have organised joint activities around two main thematic areas: structural transformation in Maghreb countries (promotion of regional value chains, customs cooperation, food security, trade integration, private sector integration, etc.) on the one hand, and social development with a focus on gender and migration issues, on the other hand.

For more information, please visit the websites of the Economic Commission for Africa (www.uneca.org) and the Arab Maghreb Union (www.maghrebarabe.org).

Press release issued by:

Communication Team

Economic Commission for Africa

Office for North Africa

Tel: 212 (0) 537 548 749

Email: hfilali-ansary@uneca.org;cea.an.coms@gmail.com