Ahmad 
Algeria, Libya and Tunisia agreed to establish free trade zones and establish smart industrial zones in the common border areas.
This came during a meeting held in Algeria on Monday evening, where Libya was represented at the meeting by the President of the General Union of Chambers of Industry, Commerce and Agriculture, Mohamed Rayed, in which the Algerian Economic Renewal Council and the Tunisian Union of Industry, Commerce and Traditional Crafts (UTICA) also participated.
According to the joint statement issued by the meeting, the Joint Council was tasked with studying the establishment of investment partnerships with high added value between the private and public sectors in the three countries, with a focus on border regions and the development of major development projects that integrate with global value chains.
The statement pointed out the importance of accelerating procedures for establishing free trade zones and establishing smart industrial zones in border areas, which would improve the business environment and make it more attractive to investments.
The new mechanism will organize periodic business and partnership forums between the three countries, unify field procedures to facilitate the movement of goods and financial transactions, and provide a unified information bank for economic operators.
The statement stressed the importance of taking advantage of the logistical capabilities available in the three countries by developing land, sea and air lines to enhance trade exchanges, and protect trademarks and the origin of products to ensure the effective opening of markets.
The importance of enhancing the role of the private sector in supporting joint efforts for economic development, trade and investment cooperation, and improving the ability of the three countries to face economic challenges and adapt to current transformations was also stressed.
In a related context, the participants praised the decisions of the consultative summit held in Tunis on April 22, 2024, where the leaders of the three countries emphasized supporting the elements of security and stability and enhancing economic integration in the region.
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