Pakistan seeks Organisation of Islamic Cooperation economic solidarity

Commerce Minister Jam Kamal urged OIC members to deepen trade links and make trade finance easier to obtain at the conclusion of the 42nd COMCEC Ministerial Session in Istanbul, Dawn reported. He said geopolitical strains, disrupted supply chains, financial weaknesses and rising protectionism strengthened the case for joint action among member countries.

The meeting identified cooperation priorities that included trade within the OIC, transport links, tourism, farming, food security, poverty reduction and digital development. Kamal said exporters, especially micro, small and medium-sized businesses, faced financing barriers such as demanding collateral, high transaction costs, fragmented rules and slow procedures. He called for aligned regulatory systems, a wider range of financing tools and stronger export credit guarantees to support exporters and cross-border trade.