Dr. Seyed AliMohammad Mousavi, the D-8 Secretary-General, called on Ms. Aisha Abubakar, Minister of State of Industry, Trade and Investment of Nigeria on 24 February 2016 at the latter’s office in Abuja.

The two interlocutors held a very fruitful and effective discussion in a cordial environment. Dr. Mousavi thanked the Minister for Nigeria’s participation at Ministerial level in the recent Trade Ministers meeting in Islamabad and also appreciated Nigeria’s constructive role. He informed the Minister of the latest developments taking place within the Organization and conveyed that the Secretariat was working in full swing to implement the vision set by the Organization’s leaders. He updated the Minister with the outcome of 2nd  Trade Ministers Meeting held in Islamabad in February 2016 and conveyed that the ‘Islamabad Declaration’ adopted in the Ministerial plenary agreed on the PTA implementation date of 01 July 2016. 

Dr. Mousavi also informed the Minister of the upcoming Industry Ministers’ meeting scheduled in May 2016 in Cairo and hoped that Nigeria would play a critical role in the meeting. 

He sought her support in furthering common agenda to consolidate the partnership among the Member States. 

Minister Aisha warmly appreciated the Secretary-General and assured him of all cooperation. She mentioned that Nigeria always attached high importance to increasing trade and economic activities among the D-8 Members and assured the Secretary-General of all efforts on the part of Nigeria in terms of expanding trade cooperation within the framework of D-8. She also assured the Secretary-General of Ministerial participation from Nigeria in the upcoming Industry Ministers meeting in Cairo.