ISTANBUL (AA) - Ahmet Tiktik, the Undersecretary of Turkish State Planning Organization (DPT) remarked that more private sector participation in the activities of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) is the common wish of all members.
The 21st meeting of (COMCEC) Follow-Up Committee began in Istanbul today (Tuesday).
Tiktik indicated that the COMCEC member countries were responsible for global trade worth 610 billion U.S. dollars last year. ''We will keep working in increasing the trade volume of our members,'' said Tiktik.
OIC Secretary General Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has noted that the COMCEC has a prominent role in developing cooperation among member states. He stated that in the recent years the Islamic world has come under severe attacks. ''The members have an obligation to strengthen ties and cooperation,'' indicted Ihsanoglu.
Ihsanoglu also made a call to all member states to wipe away poverty.
COMCEC Follow-Up Committee is an entity designed to oversee economic and commercial relations among member states.
The COMCEC Follow-Up Committee meeting will continue until May 12th. Some of the topics to be discussed include improving economic and commercial relations between member states, evaluation of the Trade System Framework Agreement, issues pertaining to the World Trade Organization and the role of tourism.
The Follow-Up Committee will also prepare the agenda of COMCEC meeting to take place in Istanbul in November, 2005.
(SOL-ULG)
2005-05-10