Finance Meetings News Tourism Trade

Secretary General Evaluated the Past, Today, and Future of D-8 to TIMETURK

Istanbul, Turkey | November 01, 2008 by D-8 Secretariat

D-8 Secretary General in interview with TIMETURK

D-8 Secretary General in interview with TIMETURK

In between the session of the 12th MÜSİAD International Trade Fair that took place between 23-26 October 2008, in Istanbul Fair Center, the The Deputy- editor-in-chief, of TIMETURK M.Hasan UNCULAR interviewed the Secretary General of D-8, Dr. Dipo ALAM. In an exclusive interview with TIMETURK, Mr. ALAM evaluated the past, today and future of D-8.

M.H.U: Secretary General, first of all I would like to thank you for this interview. I know that you are very tired and have just come from Indonesia this morning. For those who do not know much about D-8 , what is the function of D-8?

D.A: These eight countries are majority the Muslims with a population of 930 million people. Each country has a population of more than 70 million people except Malaysia. These eight countries are also very rich with their natural sources but unfortunately human resources, because of the previous historical fights and conflicts are not well developed.

YouTube Preview ImageSo that’s why now starting from the South Asia to South Africa, to Nigeria, we would like to establish economic grouping, not regional ones. Because members of D-8 are also members of some regional groups. We are now economic grouping, we have similar problems, we are D-8 developing countries and like Bangladesh we have less developed country. However we have a big market since we have a population of 930 million people and natural resources we are a lucky organization that has been established in 1997 so we expect now to focus on the economic cooperation and trade. And if you say not not so many people know D-8 also in Turkey, because at that time we still have alot of problems like Turkey itself then the prime minister was cool at that time also Bangladesh had some problems. But now we believe that we can increase our interactivity. Two, three years ago D-8 countries, in 2005 had a trade volume only about 35 billion dollars, last year in 2007 it increased 60 billion dollars, so next ten years in our road map we would like to increase more up to 250 billion dollars. That’s why we have to increase our trade.

M.H.U: As D-8 do you have a plan to increase the number of your members?

D.A: Not yet. In my understanding not yet. We will succeed first, after we succeed we introduce ourselves since we are eight countries those are also OIC members. So if we succeed, it will have a significant function. Then whoever wants to join us, may join, but now we must focus on the “eight” because the negotiation among them is essential. Because OIC now has 57 member states and it is not easy to make trade negotiation meeetings.

M.H.U: In the following days in December you will have a commission meeting of D-8 in Istanbul what is the significance of that meeting?

D.A: Well, firstly, we would like to remind all of us that this organization has been established in Istanbul and that we will have every four years the summit of the secretary general, we focus on our trade and we also encourage Turkey’s being host. I hope in the next two years I would like to cooperate with Musiad more in enterpreneurship cooperation of the eight and hope we will more participate in fairs like Musiad.

M.H.U: How do you evaluate the final economic crisis in the world and its effects on the Islamic financial sector?

D.A: Well, problems of the countries those have capitalism are very common and it is showing that capitalism is not really working and we believe like in Islam capitalism will be dead and the D-8 members should find their way of economic cooperation. Now I think this is the time for us, for example Turkey to be much oppose to America and European markets. It is the time for cooperation among the D-8 countries.

M.H.U: Can we say D-8 versus G-8?

D.A: Inshaallah sometime. We have to be patient and hardworking for that. Why not?

M.H.U: In our last interview a few years ago you said “ D-8 cannot be obstacled”. What are the most important difficulties you as facing as D-8 ?

D.A: Well, first we have to campaign about our purpose that we must increase the economic trade among us. More trade. We believe that we are eight countries of Muslim majorities so we are strong. You know that we try to find a good economic cooperation strategy.

M.H.U: For the following years if you increase the member countries to D-9 or D-10. Can you accept any non- Muslim countries?

D.A: At this stage I have no idea yet. But of course we cooperate among the Muslim countries first. But sometimes we can work with non- Muslims. But first we must see what are the benefits.After we deliver some significant achievements, for example in the trade our ambition in next ten years will be 250 billion dollars trade volume. May be we can then see that these non –Muslim countries can be recognized.

M.H.U:  How about media? How is your relationship with media?

D.A: That is already in my mind. We have a very active website. Also we contribute the international event like Musiad. We will like to have D-8 media cooperation. And it will have a network all around the world and we need you as well. I think media is very important regarding our objectives.

M.H.U: Finally how do you evaluate Musiad fair?

D.A: This is the first time for us and I think we have to encourage this. In the next two years, in 2010 I hope our participation will be bigger. I hope we can also establish a D-8 media cooperation in 2010.

M.H.U: Thank you very much Secretary General.

D.A: Thank you

Read Also

Rate this article:
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ... Loading ...
Print This Post

Share your thoughts on this story. Please increase the credibility of your post by including your name and city, and by demonstrating respect for others' opinions. Comments will not appear immediately; all comments are moderated and will be posted in order of submission.