As preparations are in top gear for Member Countries of Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) to organize their First ever D-8 Small and Medium Enterprises Forum tagged: “D-8 SMEs and Health Market”, which is scheduled to be hosted by the Federal Republic of  Nigeria between 26-27 October, 2022, the Secretary-General of the  Organization, H.E. Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam,  has paid a courtesy visit to the President of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization of the Republic of Türkiye (KOSGEB), Mr. Hasan Basri Kurt, at the Headquarters of KOSGEB in Ankara, on 26 September 2022.

During the visit, the Secretary General briefed Mr. Kurt on D-8 organization activities and initiatives in developing SMEs in member Countries and invited KOSGEB to participate in the forthcoming D-8 Forum for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and Health Market coming in Abuja, Nigeria between 26-27 October, 2022.

Speaking further, Ambassador Imam, while requesting for support and assistance of KOSGEB to enable relevant companies in Türkiye to participate in the forum, however emphasized that SMEs sector have an important role to play in the overall economic development of D-8 Countries. He added that the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which its implementation is expected to take off by the end of October this year, will make positive and important contributions to the growth of SMEs.

On the proposed establishment of D-8 Special Economic Zones in Member Countries, the Secretary General said it will enhance trade activities among the private sectors within D-8 Countries as it would offer tax exemptions and tariffs for companies.

Earlier, the President of KOSGEB, Mr. Hasan Basri Kurt, while welcoming the Secretary General to his office, underscored the need for cooperation amongst the private sectors of D-8 Countries, particularly for the development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, (SMEs), being the engine of growth that drives the economy.

Speaking further, Mr. Kurt said that Türkiye had gained considerable experience in the field of SMEs and expressed the readiness of his agency to share this knowledge with D-8 Member Countries.

In conclusion, the CEO of KOSGEB, assured the Secretary General that necessary support would be provided to the forthcoming D-8 Forum for SMEs and Health Market taking place in Abuja. He added that necessary assistance would also be provided in support of SMEs activities among the D-8 member countries.

He emphasized that joint initiatives and projects could be carried out or joint capacity building programmes between D-8 Organization and KOSGEB, as would be agreed to by both parties.