Africa-Arab Trade fair,29-23 March 2014,Casablanca,Kingdom of Morocco.

The 7th Edition of the Africa-Arab Fair, 19-23 March 2014 hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco under the theme "Health and Development”.

Jointly organized by the African Union Commission, office of Fair and Exhibition of Casablanca (O.F.E.C ), and the League of Arab States, this edition is devoted to focus on health sectors including pharmaceuticals and dentistry with the aim of developing and strengthening
partnership between the two regions in the area of pharmaceutical industry, health and development.

In their welcoming remarks Mr. Mahammed Abbou, Minister of External , professor El - Hussain Louardi ,Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Hafiz Alamine ,minister of industry, trade, investment and digital economy, Mr. Aziz Alamine, Director General of office of fair and Exhibition of Casablanca(O.F.E.C), Amb. Semir Nasir, Assistance of the General Secretary and Mr.Nadir fath Elalim, Representative from the African Union Commission (AUC) thanked the King of Morocco, His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the Government of Morocco for convening the fair and for providing assistance and support for the success of this important event. In addition they appreciated the African Union Commission the League of Arab States and the Arab Bank for Economic development in Africa (BADEA) for their cooperation in the preparation and coordination of the fair.

On the margin of the fair, the Africa Union Commission, namely the department of Trade and Industry together with the department of social affairs organized a seminar on Trade in health services, TRIPS and public health on 22 March 2014 with the objectives of bringing together stakeholders in trade in services medical and health care sector to discuss and update the current status of the health service industry, sharing experiences and knowledge among private sectors on issues of global health dimensions. The seminar also comprises a brief presentation by Ms. Carolyne on Trade in health services and Dr. Benjamin from social affairs on PMPA which address different questions and suggestion. Besides organizing a seminar the department of Trade and Industry also participated in the "promotion of commercial Exchanges between the Arab and African countries in the health sector" forum organized by Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) on 21 March 2014.

The African Union Member States, Regional Economic Communities, members of the league of Arab States and different institutions participated in the fair.

For more information please visit our website www.au.int.org.