TURKISH PRESIDENT SAYS TRADE PREFENTIAL SYSTEM AMONG MEMBERS WOULD ENCHANCE TRADE WITHIN OIC

ANTALYA (A.A) - 10.05.2010 - Turkey's president said on Monday that the rapid implementation of the Trade Preferential System among member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) would pave the way for the enhancement of intra-OIC trade.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul sent a message to the 26th meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) of OIC held in the Mediterranean province of Antalya.
In his message, Gul said, "Giving effect to Trade Preferential System among the member states of the OIC as soon as possible will carry us much further towards the enhancement of intra-OIC trade. In this regard, implementation, at the earliest convenience, of the OIC Trade Preferential System is of paramount importance". 
Gul highlighted the OIC members' shared goals to enhance cooperation such as strengthening of COMCEC's institutional structure, exploration of sources of financing, development of viable projects, display of a stronger political will and unfailing pursuance and determination by the member countries.
The Turkish president also said that he believed tourism, transportation and agriculture should be prioritized in COMCEC's future actions.
"Besides its economic contribution to our countries, I attach great importance to tourism in terms of further qualities which will bring closer our peoples who share history and a common set of cultural values, and even enrich our cultures through acknowledgement of our differences," Gul said.
Describing transportation as one of the most crucial sectors for economic cooperation, Gul said, "We need to develop the physical and legal infrastructure of our countries in the fields of transportation and logistics. We also need to popularize multilateral and bilateral agreements, remove and settle border problems and work on co-investments in order to integrate into the world".
Reminding that 22 of the 49 least developed countries in the world were OIC members, Gul said such fact actually added to the importance of poverty-fighting programs.
Highlighting OIC's increasing efficiency and presence as a prominent organization recently, Gul also said, "We maintain our desire to host the OIC Summit in 2014. We expect the invaluable support of the OIC countries."