D-8 can help OIC progress: PM

Developing-8 (D-8) countries can help OIC members by focusing on developing their economies and connectivities, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.

She expressed her view when visiting D-8 Secretary General Dr Sayed Alo Mohammad Mousavi met at her office on Tuesday.

D-8 countries should also focus on overall development of the OIC states by undertaking realistic programmes, she was quoted as saying by her Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhury after the meeting.

The D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation members are Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

“The prime minister underscored the need for taking joint venture initiatives using the resources of the member countries in ensuring development,” Chowdhury said.

She advised D-8 members to share their experiences in boosting trade and industry for their mutual benefits, he said.

The organisation, she said, should find ways to take up realistic projects for development.

Mousavi invited Hasina to Turkey for the next D-8 summit to be held in December and praised her role as a founding member of the organisation.
He also briefed her on their progress.

D-8, he said, completed its policy level phase in the 16 years since its inception.

“It is now working on the tangible development of policy making on agriculture, transport, trade, economy, civil aviation, shipping, energy and industry sector,” Chowdhury quoted Mousavi as saying.

Bangladesh is set to take over D-8’s presidency in 2018.