D-8 Business Council, currently managed by the Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce of Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), recently held its 1st General Meeting on 8 December 2011 at the NACCIMA House in Lagos. The Council comprises of businessmen and women who are already engaged in business with D-8 countries, those interested in such activities as well as companies operating in Nigeria from other D-8 countries.

Special Guest of Honour at the meeting was the Nigerian D-8 Commissioner, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, who was represented by Mr. Emozozo Adamu, Director of Multilateral Economic Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The meeting was chaired by Dr. H.A.B. Ajayi, National President, NACCIMA and Chairman, D-8 Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI).

The meeting expressed satisfaction with the trend of increase in the economic activities between and among the D-8 countries, and invited more active participation from Nigerian private sector, particularly members of the Business Council, in the activities of the private sector in various D-8 countries.

The meeting also served to acquaint the Council with the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to D-8 in Istanbul, and expressed the hope that regular flow of information on D-8 activities could be increased, including through closer liaison with the Embassies of the D-8 countries in Nigeria.

The meeting also was briefed on the concept and practice of Islamic Banking System and participants were encouraged to take advantage of this rather new mechanism.

The Nigerian Permanent Secretary/D-8 Commissioner commended NACCIMA for her efforts in establishing the Business Council.