Dr. Seyed AliMohammad Mousavi, D-8 Secretary-General, called on Mr. Bulent Tufenkci, Minister of Cutom and Trade of Turkey on 07 April 2016 at the latter’s office in Ankara.

The two interlocutors held a very fruitful and effective discussion in a cordial environment. Dr. Mousavi 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.

They agreed to expand customs-related cooperation to increase trade and also agreed to work closely to implement D-8 Custom agreement which was signed 13 May 2006 in Bali, Indonesia. Dr. Mousavi also informed the Minister of the upcoming D-8 Customs Working Group Meeting scheduled in 17-18 May 2016 in Islamabad, Pakistan and hoped that Turkey would play a critical role in the meeting. He sought the Minister’s support in furthering common agenda to consolidate the partnership among the Member States. 

Minister Tufenkci thanked the D-8 Secretary-General for the update and assured him of all cooperation. He informed that Turkey as the founding member of the D-8 remained active through implementation of Custom Agreement in furthering the vision and objectives in trade that was targeted around $500 billion in 2018 according to the D-8 Roadmap.