The two-day D-8 CCI Business Forum and Expo 2022 is beginning at a city hotel today (Tuesday) with the hope to formulate a roadmap and strategies for shared economic development.
The event, involving the eight developing countries of D-8, will explore the possibilities to establish stronger value-chain integration among them.
President of the D-8 Chamber of Commerce and Industry (D-8 CCI) and former president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Sheikh Fazle Fahim made the announcement at a press conference at a city hotel on Monday.
D-8 CCI Secretary General Ashraful Haq Chowdhury and FBCCI Director Sujib Ranjan Dash were present on the occasion, among others.
The event is being organised to celebrate the silver jubilee of the D-8 CCI that is an international platform of apex trade-bodies the D-8 nations - Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkiye.
The presidents of apex trade-bodies along with delegates of public and private sectors from the member countries will participate in the function.
Addressing the press conference, Sheikh Fazle Fahim said the forum would focus on strengthening economic ties among the member states.
"On the 25th anniversary of the D-8, I express the hope that the D-8 CCI Business Forum and Expo 2022 will explore new possibilities to develop trade relations and create new business opportunities among the D-8 member nations."
He also said different issues, like food supply, commodities, skill development, ICT, and cyber security, would be highlighted at the international event.
The D-8 CCI is working to take measures to tackle the economic uncertainties and risks - arising from the COVID-19 pandemic fallout and the recent global developments.
"The D-8 CCI is focusing on a strategic roadmap, PTA ratification, and engagement in value chain integration across agriculture, manufacturing and other sectors."
The roadmap and its strategies will be discussed during the general assembly on the first day of the event and presented to the ministerial on the following day.
In the forum, Bangladesh could explore the scopes for bringing gas from sources like Nigeria and Iran in a bid to ensure energy security, he opined.
Mr Fahim also talked about alternative trade financing, barter, and potentials of halal market among the member states.
The D-8 countries together constitute a US$5.0-trillion economy with diversified strengths in manufacturing and service sectors. The D-8 CCI was founded in 2001 with the aim of supporting cooperation among the business sectors of the D-8 countries.
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