D8 to establish market information service system

KUALA LUMPUR. February 28. KAZINFORM The Developing 8 Countries (D8) Ministers Meeting on Food Security, which ended here on Friday, agree on the establishment of a market information service system in D8 countries be initiated on animal feed, seed banks and fertilizers.

The D8 Ministers agreed that it is important to address the issues of standards and trade issues separately as it encompass all the three subject matters - animal feed, seed banks and fertilizers, said the Kuala Lumpur Initiative to Address Food Security in D8 Countries, which endorsed in the meeting. The Ministers agree that D8 trade fertilizers, animal feed and seeds will increase with the entry into force of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and look forward to its early ratification by all D8 countries. D8 comprises eight developing Muslim countries including Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey, with an objective to improve the position of Muslim developing countries in the global world economy through the diversification of their economies by creating new opportunities via increased trade relations. They agreed that each initiative be championed by appointed countries, which will act as the prime movers to implement the respective initiatives. Turkey and Iran have been appointed as the prime movers for the seed bank program; Malaysia and Indonesia for animal feed; Egypt for fertilizers; Iran and Turkey for standards and trade issues and Indonesia for marine and fisheries. The meeting also agree to establish National Seed Banks and a D8 Umbrella Seed Bank; to create collaborative research and development programs between private and public sector organizations; standardize and harmonize seed certification and quality enforcement procedures among D8 countries, Kazinform cites Xinhua.