The war in the Middle East could cause the "worst industrial crisis in living memory", the head of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) warned Wednesday.

"The head of the International Energy Agency has warned that the world is facing an energy crisis more severe than the oil shocks of the 1970s," said John Denton.

"From a business perspective, we believe this could yet become the worst industrial crisis in living memory -- not only because of surging energy prices, but because industrial production itself is being disrupted and dislocated by shortages of gas and other essential inputs".

Denton was speaking on the eve of the meeting of World Trade Organization ministers in Yaounde. (AFP)


Edited by Priscilla Ng