Cairo, Sep. 29, 2021, SPA -- Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit highlighted the importance of drafting practical policies to develop the digital economy in the Arab countries and fill the gap to keep pace with developed countries. In a key speech at the inauguration ceremony of the Seamless Middle East 2021 Conference in Dubai, the UAE, Aboul Gheit said that investment in the digital economy will allow achieving high and sustainable growth rates that can accommodate big numbers of young people looking for jobs in several Arab countries, especially after the increase in unemployment rates following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He added that digital economy now represents an important resource for the global economy and it is with no doubt that its importance is growing, where all data refer to the increasing pace of digital economy growth rate that exceeds those of traditional economy sectors, where the contribution of digital economy equals some 22 percent of the gross world product. He also praised the initiative that the Arab League received from the UAE on developing an Arab vision for digital economy, noting that the League’s Economic and Social Council, during its last session, approved referring it as part of economic files to Arab leaders to consider accrediting it during the next Arab summit. The Secretary General also suggested forming an Arab council for artificial intelligence with the membership of specialists from Arab organizations and member states to supervise drafting a relevant Arab strategy and offer necessary consultation and advice for Arab countries. --SPA 20:16 LOCAL TIME 17:16 GMT 0036 www.spa.gov.sa/w1628435