The trade volume between the eight countries that make up the D8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation has reached $129 billion, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Abdul Momen, has said.
Nigeria is a member of the D8 organisation while the other seven members are all Islamic countries. The other countries are Iran, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia, and Egypt. The D8 was formed in 1997 to develop economic relations among its member states. Its secretariat is located in Istanbul, Turkey Nigeria’s Isiaka Imam assumed office as the Secretary-General of the organisation in January this year.
Speaking on trade between the D8 countries, Abdul Momen said the volume of intra-trade among member states at the inception of the organisation 25 years was $13 billion. He expressed hope that within the next 10 years intra-trade will increase to at least $1.3 trillion.
The Bangladeshi minister spoke at the just–concluded meetings of the 45th Session of D-8 Commission and the 20th Session of the Council of Ministers held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
In a statement on Sunday, he called on member countries to tap into the ideas and fearless energy of the youths to bring the much-needed change, which could be utilised by providing them with education and job opportunities.
Momen described women power as a major force in every country, adding that the time has come to recognise their potential and involve them in economic development.
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