HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari yesterday called for further efforts within the framework of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Co-operation of the Organisation of the Islamic Co-operation (COMCEC) to implement future plans, in particular the economic aspects of the OIC Ten-Year Programme of Action, which calls for a 25% increase in intra-regional trade by 2025.
Heading Qatar’s delegation to the 35th ministerial meeting of COMCEC, which is now taking place in Istanbul, Turkey, al-Kuwari also called for gradual measures to establish a free trade area that lifts all customs and non-tariff barriers and restrictions.
Al-Kuwari hailed Turkey for its efforts within the framework of COMCEC to move forward with the implementation of key projects and initiatives that promote economic integration and co-operation among Islamic countries.
He noted the meeting is taking place in light of “delicate geostrategic and economic” changes, a slowdown in multilateral trade and a lack of tangible progress at the WTO’s 11th Ministerial Conference.
The minister also “warned of the potential negative repercussions of global political uncertainties”, which are leading to “rising economic nationalism and protectionist” measures at the global trade level.
He pointed to the “repercussions of Brexit, which would impact many countries, particularly GCC member states, which enjoyed close and distinguished relations with the UK.”
Al-Kuwari called for a “quantum leap” in joint Islamic action to establish innovative initiatives that contribute to overcoming difficulties and obstacles facing OIC member states.
The minister hailed the efforts of Arab countries in terms of moving forward with the adoption of COMCEC’s recommendations, their effective contribution to the implementation of the ten-year programme, the OIC strategy, and the Arab Customs Union project, which would serve the objectives of Islamic countries and promote joint Islamic action at the economic and commercial levels.
The meeting “presents an important opportunity” to propose mechanisms to improve joint Islamic action in the field of food security, which tops the development agenda of numerous countries, particularly Islamic states.
Referring to the definition of food security by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), which notes that “food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life,” the minister said a food crisis exists in Muslim countries as evidenced by the growing dependence on external sources to meet the nutritional needs of the populations of Islamic countries, the decline in per capita agricultural output and the contribution of the agricultural sector to GDP.
A majority of Islamic countries, especially in Africa, are facing challenges relating to food security and agricultural development as these countries tend to provide support for service sectors instead of stimulating agricultural production. This has resulted in a decline in the average contribution of the agriculture sector to the GDP of Islamic countries from 23% in 1990 to 17% in 2016.
Al-Kuwari praised the 2025 Action plan adopted by the 13th Islamic Summit held in Istanbul, noting that the plan represents an important roadmap to achieve the goals and objectives in this field.
The programme seeks to promote sustainable food security across member states by increasing agricultural production capacities and developing food production systems that promote agricultural diversification, optimal land use, efficient water and land usage, and investments in food security-related sectors.
In this regard, al-Kuwari called on the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) to prioritise intra-agricultural investments, encourage and channel investments into the agriculture sector in Islamic countries and develop value chains among neighbouring countries to achieve regional integration in this field.
The minister also proposed the establishment of an agricultural commodity market for Islamic countries aimed at facilitating intra-regional trade.
He explained that achieving sustainable development in OIC member states and promoting growth and prosperity undoubtedly requires peace as well as political and social stability.
Al-Kuwari concluded his speech by thanking President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, chairman of the Islamic Summit and the COMCEC Committee, as well as the Arab Group for entrusting Qatar to speak on behalf of the Group.
HE al-Kuwari with Erdogan at the summit.
