Arab countries need to invest in more research

Ajman: A lack of research and reliable statistical data is hampering development in Arab countries, it was stated on Sunday night.

"Only 0.3 per cent of the combined GDP of Arab countries is spent on research," said Mohammed AlMezel, Deputy Managing Editor, Gulf News.

This statement was made at the third Arab Culture Forum, which ran for two days and concluded last night in Ajman. The forum brought together intellectuals from across the Arab nations.

This year's forum was titled "Contemporary Issues" and covered development in the Arab world, Arab media, the decline of the Arabic language and occupied Jerusalem's history and future.

One argument was made that due to lack of research the job market doesn't reflect the fields of education and training provided, thus giving the private sector an excuse not to hire nationals.

With regard to economic development, Dr Fatima Al Shamsi, Professor of Business and Administration at UAE University (UAEU) believes that administrative and procedural obstacles stand in the way of economic growth in the GCC. "There are customs processes that should have been halted by 2005 still being practised."

Some argued that the development of one field can mean the decline of another. One of the attendees used the decline of the cotton industry in Egypt as opposed to the rise of tourism as an example of this.

Aisha Al Nuaimi, also from the UAEU, spoke about the need for freedom within society for media to prove effective.

"One of the media's jobs is to give people the ability to make choices. How can they do that if there is no freedom within the community, where people are not used to being given choices?"