OIC`s Ihsanoglu calls for boosting economic and intra-OIC trade

The OIC Secretary General elaborated on latest developments in the
world economy in 2008, in particular the surge in food and energy
prices, as well as global financial crisis, which are the main topics
of the Forum.

The Secretary General stated that 13 OIC Member States are among the
world’s 34 countries most affected by the economic downturn and
require urgent external assistance in food supply. On this issue, he
called for increasing production and productivity in agriculture
using innovative and imaginative solutions.

Moreover, Ihsanoglu noted that the global financial crisis will have
certain impact on OIC Member States. However, this crisis may also
provide opportunities to some Member States, especially for intra OIC
trade. Due to economic recession in the United States, the European
Union, Japan and other developed countries, the OIC Member States’
trade with these countries has begun to decline, he declared.

--MORE