THE ARAB NATIONS IN FOCUS
Moving in the right direction
founders had a vision for the future of Australian-Arab trade. Today the Arab countries as a group rate in the top ten destinations for Australia’s exports, while at the same time the value of Arab exports to Australia has also grown significantly. The 22 countries of the Arab League
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do not represent an homogenous group. Their economies are at various stages of development. Some are modernising and diversifying more quickly than others. Some are supported by extraordinary levels of revenue from oil and gas exports, and some are not. The characteristics of some are dominated by adversely high levels of population growth where issues of food security and poverty alleviation are important challenges for policy-makers. Others are affected by damaging cycles of international conflict and social and political unrest. All are challenged by the growing problem of shortages of drinking water and water for agriculture, and by other issues related to climate change. In the broad view, however, the Arab
economies are moving in the right direction. Arab leaders today understand more than ever before the importance of investing more into sectors such as education and health, and in modern technology to deliver improved economic performance and living standards for their peoples. Australia, with its young economy and
whose people coming from nearly every country on the planet, has much to offer its Arab friends. Thirty years ago, Australia was welcomed by the Arab economies as a source of agricuItural, and water and land management expertise. We remain a world leader in those areas, but in the intervening period, the Australian economy itself has grown and diversified to a point where our merchandise and services are now in demand across a wide range of
hen the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) began 35 years ago, its
sectors, including mining, health, project management, engineering, construction and also defence equipment, to mention only a few. Australia also has requirements of its own that can, through the import of commodities from the Arab countries, help balance its economic links with the Arab countries. AACCI plays a strong and increasingly
significant role in this process, and is keen to do more to deepen further the economic links between Australia and the Arab countries. The introduction of three major Arab
airlines into the Australian air travel market has provided business people and tourists alike, with a multiple choice of travel options on a daily basis in most of our international terminals. Those same carriers provide excellent connections daily with all major Arab centres. It has been shown that trade is always enhanced where good, reliable lines of communication have been established. Supported by these airlines, Arab visitors are now coming to Australia in increasing numbers. Many regions within the Australian
landscape, such as the Gold Coast, Melbourne, and Perth have become favorite targets for Arab investment. Arab investors have become major players among foreign investors in Australia’s residential property market. Perhaps the most important goal that
we can set for ourselves is to develop further the people-to-people links that are nurtured through the growth in the export of Australian education services to the Arab countries. Australia is a preferred source of education for growing numbers of young Arab people. Let us not forget that it is those educational links which, above all else, will underpin the future of Australia’s economic links with the Arab world.
Ray Najar National Chairman AACCI
AUSTRALIA AND THE ARAB COUNTRIES | 2010 85 Ray Najar
National Chairman AACCI
FOREWORD
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