The Minister of Economy of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi called on Arab countries to strengthen ties with East Asia in "the new global economy", local newspaper Gulf News reported on Friday.

"There is a particular interest in East Asia at the moment," Al Qasimi was quoted as saying at a press conference held on Thursday in Dubai.

She cited last year's visit to China by Saudi King Abdullah and the recent official trip to India by the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum as signs of serious Arab efforts to develop links with East Asian countries.

Arab relations with East Asian countries must be "re-emphasized in the global economy," she added.

It is reported that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is discussing free trade agreements with a number of Asian countries, including China and India.

Source: Xinhua