D-8 to Cooperate with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on Several Issues

Vienna, Austria | January 29, 2008 by D-8 Secretariat

On January 21st, 2008,  the Secretary General of D-8, Dipo Alam, met and discussed with Mr. Yoshiteru Uramoto, Deputy to Director General and Managing Director for Programme Coordination and Field Operation Division of UNIDO, in Vienna, Austria, on several issues of industrial development. This is among the programs of the Secretariat to implement the assignments mandated by D-8 Head of States in the 5th Summit in Bali, May 2006 which enact D-8 Organization to cooperate with fellow international organizations.

As D-8 is now preparing a D-8 Roadmap 2008-2018 for the next decade of cooperation plans, Secretary General discussed several issues on the future of industrial development of developing countries, particularly for developing the opportunities of small and medium industries, trade cooperation and capacity building, productivity, renewable energy, technological innovation, investment, infrastructure to support industries, including opportunity on the issue of debt-swap for industrial development. These are very relevant to the UNIDO program that recently published a futuristic program in their Forging Ahead report 2006-2007.

Among the issue that was discussed was the experience of Egypt, one of D-8 member states, that cooperates with UNIDO and the Government of Italy, to have the Debt for Development Swap and Trade Related Technical Assistance. The Government of Italy awarded a debt-swap USD 7 millions to the Government of Egypt in 2004, assisted by UNIDO, to establish the Egyptian Traceability Center for Agro-Industrial Exports (ETRACE). This program has been designated to assist Egyptian farmers, growers and pack houses along the food value chain to meet European and international food quality, safety and traceability standards, ensuring that products are safe for consumption and do not encounter barriers to trade. ETRACE provides financial and technical assistance to support agro-industrial enterprises in applying traceability systems. Upgrading their technology and management systems and in acquiring certification for their exports. Secretary General expects to invite UNIDO in the next D-8 Working Group on Industrial Cooperation in Jakarta, Indonesia, which is scheduled in May 2008. Delegates of D-8 member states could learn from Egypt delegates how the debt-swab program could be proposed and applied for industrial development. For example, also Indonesian Government has been awarded twice of 25 millions Euros a debt-swap program for education from the Government of Germany.

UNIDO is prepared to assist D-8 programs on industrial cooperation. For instance, Iranian Government has proposed D-8 cooperation in automotive industries and spare-parts. This is already scheduled as one of D-8 programs of cooperation in 2008. Some renewable energy for industry also discussed and will be proposed by D-8 to UNIDO for cooperation.

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