D-8 urges Turkish businesses to invest in other member countries

By Sumeyye Dilara Dincer

ANKARA (AA) — The secretary general of the Developing-8 (D-8) bloc of nations on Friday called on Turkish businesses to invest in other members of the organization.

Isiaka Abdulkadir Imam said in a meeting in the Turkish metropolis Istanbul that the eight countries in the organization, established under the leadership of former Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, offer important investment opportunities to Turkish businesses, according to a statement by the World e-Press Council (DEBK).

The D-8 General Secretariat is ready to encourage these investments and pave the way for Turkish businesses, Imam said, adding: "We have serious potential especially in energy field. We are ready to offer various opportunities to Turkish business people."

Hasan Ali Cesur, the head of D-8 Countries Initiative Platform, noted that they will work to introduce investment opportunities in D-8 countries to Turkish businesses and develop cooperation in this field.

Hasan Taskin, president of the DEBK, said the council is ready to support the work of D-8 countries.

He said, "Since the establishment of D-8, the Turkish press has given importance and support to this formation. Today, we are ready to do our part as well."

On June 15, 1997, the D8 was launched after late Turkish statesman Erbakan proposed the creation of an economic group consisting of eight emerging economies from the Muslim world.

Alongside Türkiye itself, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Pakistan founded the Istanbul-based group.

Today, two of its members — Türkiye and Indonesia — are among the world’s 20 biggest economies.

*Writing by Gokhan Ergocun in Istanbul