D-8 must meet trade, economic goals: Pak PM

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday called on the Developing Eight (D-8) Organisation to take up challenges and meet trade and economic goals.

Addressing the ninth summit of the group, Abbasi said member nations -- Bangladesh, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria and Pakistan -- needed to adopt a can do spirit to achieve visionary goals chalked out two decades ago.

"Twenty years ago, a shared vision motivated the leaders of our countries to establish this organisation to promote cooperation in the key areas of agriculture, industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, trade, transport, energy and tourism. However, the progress achieved so far falls short of our expectations," he said.

He noted the need to identify impediments that had stood in the way of achieving objectives and urged members to take measures to strengthen the partnership between them.

Abbasi, according to the Dawn and Radio Pakistan, urged member countries to focus on the implementation of projects for development, progress and prosperity of the people of the member countries, expressing hope for greater economic cooperation.

The Pakistan prime minister also highlighted the need for member countries to have a louder voice on the international platform.

He assured new chair Turkey of Pakistan's full support in achieving the aims of the D-8.