D-8 countries to take steps for PTA’s implementation

Islamabad, Pakistan | May 05, 2007 by D-8 Secretariat

Pakistan has stated that the D-8 countries will take necessary steps for implementation of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

Addressing the two-day eighth meeting of High Level Trade officials (HLTO) of D-8 countries, which concluded here Friday at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, UN and EC Additional Foreign Secretary Tariq Osman Hyder said D-8 members would complete arrangements for PTA’s implementation signed at the Bali Summit in 2006.

The delegates and representatives of eight Muslim member countries including Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, Nigeria and Pakistan participated in the 8th HLTO.

D-8 Secretary General Dr Dipo Alam said D-8 members had great economic potential and could make tremendous progress by collaborating. He said they should enhance efforts to fulfil this potential.

According to the Foreign Office (FO), the 8th HLTO meeting chaired by the Ministry of Commerce Joint Secretary Shahid Bashir witnessed progress by building consensus on the previous meeting held in Islamabad in December 2006. The key issues were related to increasing economic interaction. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General (Economic Coordination) and Pakistan’s D-8 Commissioner Muhammad Waheedul Hasan presided over the concluding session.

The FO stated that Pakistan had played an active role in D-8 members’ economic collaboration to promote economic growth. The second, fifth and seventh meetings of the HLTO were also held in Islamabad.

Dr Alam also called on Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri. He said he would strengthen the D-8 by increasing interaction among member states. Kasuri assured Dr Alam of Pakistan’s role in fostering cooperation among D-8 states. Dr Alam also met the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president and discussed ways to increase commercial ties among the D-8 countries’ trade and commerce bodies.

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