“It’s Time to Focus on Our Economic Issues”
The First Arab Economic Conference was held on January 15, 2019, at the Golden Crown Hotel in Nazareth. The event addressed various societal issues and was supported by detailed data and statistics.
Organized by the Arab Economic Forum – an independent non-profit research center – in collaboration with Globes, the country’s leading economic newspaper, the conference aimed to promote economic development within the Arab community. Its primary objective was to raise public awareness, particularly among decision-makers, by presenting data on the economic status of the Arab population.
During the conference, participants identified barriers to economic growth and proposed solutions to improve the Arab community’s financial standing. The event also served as a platform for collaboration, enabling participating entities to present joint projects and develop policies to foster economic growth within Arab society.
The conference featured numerous political, economic, and social figures who addressed key societal issues related to their expertise, illustrating their insights with data. Topics discussed included demographic changes and their impact on economic growth, the housing crisis, funding challenges for local authorities, poverty, unemployment, and crime. A dedicated section also explored the Arab community’s business sector, emphasizing its crucial role as a driver of economic development.
Dr Sami Miaari, founder of the Arab Economic Forum, underscored the importance of prioritizing economic issues that profoundly influence the current realities of Arab society. He stated:
“The time has come for us to focus on our economic issues, whose significance and impact we often overlook in other aspects of our daily lives. Today, the economy shapes many social and political phenomena. For this reason, we must carefully analyze our economic situation to address broader societal challenges.”
Dr Maha Karkabi Sabbah, Director of the Research Unit at the Arab Economic Forum, expressed optimism about the potential impact of such conferences in raising awareness of the social and economic crises that have emerged in recent years. She remarked:
“Despite the social and economic transformations we have experienced, significant gaps persist in critical areas influencing economic growth in Arab society, such as employment, wages, and the budgets and development programs for local authorities. It is essential for public oversight bodies to address these pressing issues.”
The conference attracted over 400 participants, including representatives from government ministries, heads and representatives of local authorities, employment program leaders, businesspeople, civil society organizations, decision-makers, academics, and labour unions.
