Iran calls for deeper economic cooperation within D-8 bloc

Tehran, IRNA – Deputy Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade, and Head of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO), Mohammad-Ali Dehghan Dehnavi, has stressed Tehran's strong commitment to enhancing economic cooperation within the Organization of Eight Developing Islamic Countries (D-8) framework.

An Iranian delegation led by Dehghan Dehnavi participated in the 4th session of the Council of Trade Ministers of the Developing Eight (D-8) countries on Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt.

In his remarks, Dehghan Dehnavi emphasized Iran’s $22 billion in trade with D-8 member states over the past five years, highlighting Tehran’s strong commitment to enhancing economic cooperation within the bloc.

He added, “Despite unprecedented pressures, Iran continues its constructive engagement within the D-8 framework and is confident that member states will work together to prevent external restrictions from disrupting our regional economic cooperation and integration.”

The deputy minister also expressed support for the initiative to conduct scoping exercises aimed at upgrading the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) into a more advanced instrument. He called for assistance from international organizations for technical assessments and balanced recommendations.

In addition to tariff liberalization, he outlined future priorities, which include enhancing cooperation in customs affairs, improving logistics, facilitating settlement in national currencies, and strengthening interaction between the private sector and chambers of commerce.

The 4th session of the Council of Trade Ministers of the Developing Eight (D-8) countries was held in Cairo, attended by representatives from Iran, Turkiye, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, and Nigeria.