The D-8 Secretary-General, Ambassador Dato’ Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari participated in the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) and South East Asian Cooperation (SEACO) Foundation Roundtable as a Special Speaker for sharing the D-8 practices enhancing the regional collaboration during the session of SEACO – Accelerating Regional Cooperation on 29 October 2019 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The D-8 Secretary-General was accompanied by Mr. Sheikh Mohammad Moinuddin, IT Officer of the Secretariat.

During the visit, Secretary-General called on, Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh; H.E. Md. Shahriar Alam, MP, Minister of State for foreign Affairs; Mr. Md. Shahidul Haque, Foreign Secretary; Mr. Mohammad Khorshed Alam Khastagir, D-8 Commissioner and Director General (IO) and Sheikh Fazle Fahim, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). He also visited Beximco Industrial Park near Dhaka.

During the talks with the Honourable Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina on 31st October 2019 at her office, “The Prime Minister was very excited and hinted that Dhaka would host the upcoming 10th D-8 summit in the third week of April, 2020”.

Bangladesh will take over as the next Chair of the D-8 through the Dhaka Summit which will coincide with Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth centenary. She also mentioned that upcoming Summit will be a good opportunity for sharing experiences among the eight countries for further developments.

Ambassador Ku Jaafar highly praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her able leadership in achieving a commendable high economic growth of Bangladesh. He also mentioned that Bangladesh would be a model (for development) to be followed by the other countries. He also expressed confidence that her dynamic and visionary leadership would take Bangladesh to a new height of excellence in all strata of development. He appreciated the Bangladesh Premier’s proposal for experience sharing for common benefits which he said could be ensured through strengthened cooperation among the Member States.

Ambassador Ku Jaafar informed the Prime Minister of the latest initiatives and ideas taking place within the Organization. In particular, he proposed to establish a special D-8 Industrial or Economic zone in Bangladesh exclusively for D-8 Member States. The Prime Minister positively responded to the Secretary-General by saying that “Her government is currently setting up 100 special economic zones and Bangladesh is ready to provide land from the zones for the D-8 countries”.

Apart from D-8 Industrial Economic Zone, Secretary-General updated the Prime Minister of other initiatives such as D-8 Payment Card, D-8 Health and Social Protection Programme and D-8 Creative Economy and Financial Center. He expressed hope that these initiatives would be approved and launched during the upcoming 10th D-8 Summit.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked the D-8 secretary general for his dynamic leadership and introducing innovative ideas, making tireless efforts to make the organization visible and building partnership among the member countries and assured him of all kind of cooperation and encouraged the Secretary-general to continue his pursuit of development cooperation.

After, Secretary-General also had a meeting with Honourable Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh on 31 October 2019 at his office, the D-8 Secretary-General briefed him on the result of the discussion between himself and the Prime Minister.

During the talks with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on 28 October 2019 at his office, the D-8 Secretary General also briefed the State Minister about the initiatives undertaken by the D-8. The state minister reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment towards “a more effective and functional D-8 realizing its full potential”. Minister also emphasized how to better collaborate between the member states by leveraging experiences and skills of one-member state for others on complementarity basis in different fields.

During the talks with D-8 Commissioner, on 28 October 2019 at his office, both discussed wide range of issues including the upcoming D-8 Summit Dates, Documents as D-8 Decennial Roadmap (2020-2030), Dhaka Declaration, inviting international organization to the D-8 Summit and other leaders as special guests. They also talk about D-8 Health cooperation and in this regard, Secretary-General paid a sudden visit to Prof. A. K Azad Khan, President of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, BIRDEM (Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders). Prof. Azad shared his experience with the Secretary-General. Amb. Ku Jaafar told the Prof. Azad that his health Advisor, Dr. Ado will visit Bangladesh very soon to expand the health cooperation.

During the talks with President of the FBCCI on 28 October 2019 at his office, the Secretary-General, Amb. Ku Jaafar remarked on the impressive socio-economic development and digital footprint of Bangladesh.Mr. Fahim discussed with the Secretary -General regarding hosting D-8 Business forum in conjunction to the D-8 Summit for next year. He expressed his keen interest in working with the umbrella trade organization to roll out some of the new initiatives relating to fintech, market driven technology, skills development, investments reforms among others. Secretary-General shared his view with the President of FBCCI. Secretary-General, particularly mentioned the idea to establish a Special Industrial Zone. President of FBCCI welcomed the proposal.

Secretary-General joined a press conference organized by Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh (DCAB). He updated the press all the latest developments. He also attended an interview hosted by NTV.