Cairo, March 14, SPA-- The third meeting of the Governance Council of the Arab-African Trade Bridges Program kicked off here today, chaired by the Egyptian Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Governor of Egypt at the Islamic Development Bank Group, Dr. Hala El-Said, in the presence of the CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, Secretary-General of the Arab-African Trade Bridges Program, Eng. Hani Sonbol and the participation of several ministers from Arab and African countries, and representatives of international financial institutions. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Commerce, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, in the presence of the Saudi Ambassador to Egypt, Osama bin Ahmed Nuqali. In her opening speech, the Egyptian Minister of Planning and Economic Development, said that the meeting represents an opportunity for consultation, exchange of ideas and visions, and a review of successful experiences to enhance the efforts of governments to develop trade between African and Arab countries, expressing her country's pride in the process of continuous cooperation with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, which has boosted the financing cooperation portfolio to $13.8 billion. --SPA 21:51 LOCAL TIME 18:51 GMT 0030 www.spa.gov.sa/w1706193