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Arab food self-sufficiency need of the hour

Arab countries, reeling under a staggering food gap of billions of dollars annually, need to use their potential and resources to draw up a strategy to confront spiralling prices and achieve their food security, Bahrain's Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa has said.

  • By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
  • Published: 00:53 March 6, 2008
  • Gulf News

Manama: Arab countries, reeling under a staggering food gap of billions of dollars annually, need to use their potential and resources to draw up a strategy to confront spiralling prices and achieve their food security, Bahrain's Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa has said.

"We need to draw lessons from the current spiralling inflation hitting the world and start seriously thinking about ensuring food security in the Arab world, particularly that our countries have immense potential and resources that can be used to ensure a better future for our people," Shaikh Khalifa said during the open meeting he holds every Monday with officials and citizens.

The Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development in January said Arab countries imported $10 billion (about Dh36 billion) worth of food products annually.

"The hike in commodity prices was sparked by decisions by the producing countries. ... We really need to use the vast fertile and arable lands, the skilled human resources potential and the financial resources in the Arab countries to achieve the integration needed to achieve self-sufficiency in food-production and reduce dependence," Shaikh Khalifa said.

But Arab countries should act quickly, said the Bahraini leader.

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