CAIRO: Egypt became the first Arab and North African nation to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), according to a report published on the Cairo and Alexandria Stock Exchange website.
OECD is a forum where different countries exchange experience and share knowledge to promote a global dialogue about economic policies. The organization provides a platform for policy makers, civil society, private sector, international research centers and financial institutions from around the world to set best practice models for development.
The organization also bills itself as a place that “brings together the governments of countries committed to democracy and the market economy from around the world to support sustainable economic growth, boost employment, raise living standards, maintain financial stability, assist other countries economic development and contribute to growth in world trade.
“It also provides comparable statistics as well as economic and social data; monitors trends, forecasts economic developments and researches social changes or evolving patterns in trade, environment, agriculture, technology and taxation.
Established in 1961 and headquartered in Paris, the OECD has a total of 30 member countries with a budget of 342.9 million euros for 2008.
In June 2006, Angel Gurría was appointed Secretary-General of the OECD.
