ISTANBUL, 24 November 2004 — Delegates from the 55-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting here to discuss means for enhancing economic cooperation among their states blamed politicians for the poor performance of intra-trade and intra-investment flows among OIC members.
Although intra-exports among Muslim countries increased by six percent in 2002 to $55.7 billion from $52.4 billion the year before, the share of intra-exports in total world exports of those countries increased by just 0.5 percent, from 11 percent to 11.5 percent, during the same period. Almost half of the OIC countries are classified by the United Nations to be among the least developed states of the world.
The conference was opened by Turkish Prime Minister R.Tayyip Erdogan, who admitted that it is the economy that should direct politics and must thus be given priority if Muslim countries are to progress and catch up with the rest of the world.
“The time has come for all of us to conduct a thorough self-criticism and ask ourselves if we really want to progress or remain where we stand today. It is true we face serious challenges as manifested in poverty, weak infrastructure and poor education and health conditions but we could still work to overcome these problems through the suitable policies and good governance that address the core causes while observing transparency, liberalism, joint participation and above all justice which should come first and foremost,” Erdogan said.
He noted that the exports of all Muslim states combined made up just 8 percent of world exports while intra-trade among the 55 countries accounted for just 13 percent of their overall trade.
He called on Muslims to build on their rich cultural heritage and civilization to enhance the values of broader joint participation and cooperation among their countries instead of depending on individual initiatives and government policies to do this. He said he hoped the conference would not just end up by issuing recommendations that remain on paper.
Emphasis, he stressed, should be on human resource development, especially in the areas of education and health since it is the human element that counts most in any development process. “It is the spirit of collective initiative and work that creates advanced societies by working to remove barriers among our countries. This conference should not just serve as a forum for exchanging speeches but should lead to promoting the exchange of expertise, enhance Islamic values and consolidate the spirit of collective initiative and work among our countries.” According to the president of the Islamic Development Bank, Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ali, 90 percent of Muslim states trade is being done with foreign countries outside the OIC with these counties doing just 10 percent of their trade exchanges among themselves.
“This is a real problem but it can sill be addressed through strong support from the side of government and close cooperation among our countries involving both the private and public sectors,” he said.
The four-day conference aimed at evaluating the economic and commercial cooperation within the OIC, promoting Intra-OIC trade and investment and enhancing the institutional setup and mechanisms for cooperation among Muslim states is being held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the OIC Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC). It is jointly organized by the OIC, the Turkish government and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey.
The president of the Republic of Turkey, Ahmet Necder Sezer who is COMCEC chairman, is expected to address the conference tomorrow.
The most vocal of the delegates who spoke at the opening session has been Ekoko Mukete, vice president of Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts, who spoke on behalf of the 17 African countries making the African group within the OIC. He said although these countries account for almost one quarter of the OIC population, they continue to live under endemic poverty.
“Africa is reeling under endemic poverty; poor living conditions, poor access to drinking water, health care and education, damaging effects of AIDS, short life expectancy. In general, it is lack of economic growth and development. You could then say how would may ask how could anything good come out of this?” Mukefe gave the answer to the question he raised by saying something good could still come out of this as evident by his presence at the conference. “Well, here I am, standing before you which means something good could still come out of all this.
He said Africa is tired of being perceived as a lost case.
“We would like to count on the help of our Muslim brethren in changing this negative worldwide perception.” He hoped the heads of government; ministers and other representatives would not just consider the problems facing Muslim states but seek to implement solutions.
Businessmen taking part in the conference would hold a joint forum with government ministers to present their views on the best means for enhancing intra-Islamic trade ties. The theme of the session would focus on the future of investment in Muslim states.