Preparatory meetings of the 28th Arab Summit kicked off here on Thursday.

A get-together at the level of senior officials at the Arab League (AL) Economic and Social Council was held to prepare for the council's meeting, slated for Sunday.

Addressing the opening session, Secretary-General of the Jordanian Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply Yousef al Shamali called for making utmost use of resources of Arab countries to achieve long-awaited development and increase investments.

The volume of inter-Arab trade does not meet the aspirations of the Arab countries, he warned.

Jordan, during its chairmanship of this year's Arab summit, will try to find solutions for unprecedented challenges besetting the Arab region, Shamali pointed out.

Meanwhile, AL Assistant Secretary General for Social Affairs Badrl el Din Alali said today's meeting will deal with the economic and social file, which has a direct impact on the daily life of every Arab citizen.

The 28th Arab Summit is set to start on March 29 in Jordan.

Source: MENA