Presidents of the D-8 Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (D-8 FCCI) met on 24 December 2015 in Ankara for the second time after their first meet in Kuala Lumpur this year.

Dr. Seyed AliMohammad Mousavi, D-8 Secretary-General, addressed the D-8 FCCI Presidents’ meeting. He highlighted the importance of the meeting for achievement of D-8 intra-trade target of USD 500 billion in 2018. The Secretary General also noted that the D-8 FCCI would promote and strengthen private sector involvement and cooperation. To achieve this objective, new and additional mechanisms should be created to further enhance collaboration among the private sector of the D-8.

Dr. Mousavi highlighted that during the last Eminent Persons Group (EPG) meeting held on 8-9 September 2014, in Istanbul, the EPG members proposed establishment of “D-8 Business Council” comprising government and private sector representatives to institutionalize and consolidate private sector cooperation. The Business Council should be an effective interface between the governments and private sectors. Thus, the already established D-8 FCCI can also be linked or merged with the Business Council. Private sector should be involved more in sectoral ministerial meetings in terms of participation and come out with project proposals for implementation.

Dr. Mousavi mentioned that 9th Summit will be held in 2016 and D-8 Business Forum will be held in the sideline of the Leaders’ meeting. At the 9th Summit, the Organization is working on a new mandate to enhance Sectoral cooperating as well as to increase the involvement of the private sector by increasing frequency of meetings of the Business Forum.

Dr. Mousavi also hoped that the draft D-8 FCCI Charter would be finalized before the 9th Summit.