Pakistani premier urges transport connectivity among D-8 nations to strengthen economic ties

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) – Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged the D-8 member countries on Thursday to work together to strengthen economic ties and improve transportation connectivity between them.

Speaking at the D-8 summit in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, Sharif said his Cabinet has already approved the implementation of D-8 preferential trade agreement and its dispute settlement protocol.

The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, also known as D-8, was founded in 1997 in Istanbul by Türkiye, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Iran, and Malaysia.

"We need to explore the possibilities of developing and enhancing transport connectivity among the eight member states for building efficient intra-trade corridors and reliable supply chains," the prime minister stressed.

He urged member countries to prioritize transport connectivity, suggesting the Istanbul-Tehran-Istanbul road corridor as an excellent project for high-speed connectivity.

The premier said his country spends and invests in youth, which is critical for their socioeconomic development and progress, as more than 60% of the population is under the age of 30.

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunis and Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto also addressed the summit, emphasizing the importance of strengthening D-8 member countries' trade and economic ties.