Morocco Participates in COMCEC 42nd Ministerial Session in Istanbul

Istanbul – The 42nd ministerial session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) opened on Monday in Istanbul, with Morocco taking part. 

The Kingdom was represented in the 2-days event by the Director of International Trade Relations at the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Investment and Economic Inclusion, Youssef Zahoui, and the head of the commercial relations with Arab and Islamic countries department at the same ministry, Youssed Benabdou.

The managing director of Bayt Mal Al-Qods Asharif, Mohamed Salem Cherkaoui, who also takes part in the session program, provides an examination of many issues, notably ways to strengthen trade exchange between member states, expand the private sector role in economic cooperation, deepen financial cooperation, and improve transportation and communication.

The work of this session, opened by the Vice President of Turkey, Cevdet Yılmaz, and the Secretary General of the OIC, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, will focus on global economic developments, including the situation of the Organization’s member countries, as well as the development of a sustainable and competitive tourism sector.

Participants will also examine ways to increase productivity in the agricultural sector, ensure food security, reduce poverty, and strengthen digital transformation cooperation.

On the sidelines of these proceedings, an exhibition dedicated to “COMCEC Project Support Programs” will be organized to showcase member countries’ experiences in project implementation, alongside a round table on the “Strengthening the family institution through value-based policies in the digital age” theme.

Created following the 3rd OIC summit, held in Mecca in 1981, the COMCEC became operational during the 4th summit, organized in Casablanca in 1984. This committee works to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between the 57 OIC member states.

The primary objective of COMCEC is to address the economic challenges facing the Islamic Ummah and to contribute to development efforts made by its member states. It also serves as a platform for policy dialogue, the exchange of experiences and best practices, the alignment of perspectives, and the harmonization of policies among member states.