Bangladesh takes over term presidency of D-8

[T-SaGe]

APR 07, 2021 3:40 PM GMT+3

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu attends the D-8 meeting via videoconference in Ankara, Turkey, April 7, 2021 (AA Photo)


Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu handed over Turkey's term presidency of the Developing 8 (D-8) Council of Foreign Ministers to Bangladesh.

Speaking at the virtual summit of the D-8 Council of Foreign Ministers hosted by Dhaka, Çavuşoğlu stressed the importance of multilateralism and cooperation during difficult pandemic times.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1379743193126821889

“As Turkey, we emphasized the importance of solidarity and cooperation in fighting COVID-19 from the very beginning,” he said, adding that Turkey has helped 157 countries and 12 international organizations during this time, as well as supported debt derogation initiatives for poor countries in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and Group of 20 (G-20).

He said technology and youth are the two major transformative forces of the new era, adding that it is necessary to benefit from young people, who are the source of dynamism, innovation, and creative ideas, and to keep up with advanced technologies.

Çavuşoğlu noted that member countries should not only be the users but also the manufacturers of these technologies.
Noting that the D8 Preferential Trade Agreement constitutes the basis of trade and economic cooperation within the bloc, Çavuşoğlu invited all members to put this agreement into effect.

He went on to say that facilitating trade is another important step toward boosting relations among the D-8 countries, adding that Turkey is ready to host the meeting.

The minister highlighted that one of the most affected sectors by pandemic was tourism.

Turkey, he said, started a safe tourism concept and reopened its resorts to tourism in line with the guidelines of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, adding that his country is ready to share the practices with other member states.

The D-8 members include Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.
S- https://www.dailysabah.com/politics...takes-over-term-presidency-of-d-8-from-turkey

D-8 is one of the organizations with the highest potential in the Islamic geography. However, it maintains as an org that is constantly experiencing problems due to the political conjuncture and that countries do not prioritize. I hope we can succeed in taking important steps under the leadership of Bangladesh.

 

[Bilal9]

In addition to defence cooperation (which makes the most sense), we should definitely prioritize trade with D-8 countries, especially in regards to:

1) Low priced agri-exports, floriculture and tea/coffee exports (from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria)
2) Large scale raw material and industrial inputs e.g. Cotton (Egypt, Pakistan), coal products (from Indonesia), and petroleum products (from Iran, Nigeria)
3) Economically manufactured FMCG and Pharma products (from all D-8 countries, Turkey, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey) - I can provide details for this.
4) High/Low technology capital machinery (Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan)- I can provide details for this as well.
5) Large labor-intensive items like shipbuilding (Turkey, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia)

Like the Turkish FM Mr. Çavuşoğlu noted,

"member countries should not only be the users but also the manufacturers of these technologies."

This manufacturing knowhow can only be beneficial to all members if member countries and their investors are willing to pay for ToT like, from Turkey to say, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

I want to emphasize that this trade should not be at the expense of other trading partners (such as China in terms of most D-8 countries and especially South Korea in terms of Indonesia's trade relationship. But priority should be there as far as tariffs and other benefits all the way up to and inclusive of signed bilateral FTA's.

The reason why Muslim countries stay backward is,

a) Our lack of unity when it comes to trade (notice gulf countries have no preference to trade with Muslims - 50% of population in Emirates are Indians and these Emiratis, even Saudis largely trade with Indians).
b) Our non-use of calculated leverage for trade volume (business has to be win-win for both sides, ALL THE DAMN TIME. Islamic countries always compromise to their own detriment when trading with Western countries.)
c) Corrupt leaders in Islamic countries who will bend over backwards to please their Western masters in return for the highest bribe, and some of us (in Bangladesh especially, keep rewarding and reelecting them in spite of this behavior).

There could be much synergy in this area, considering some Western economies (namely France and Denmark) have decided now, to join forces with overt anti-Islamic regimes oppressing Muslims (India).

So far we have shown an embarrassingly low amount of resolve when acting as members of the D-8 grouping as a collective, placing narrow self-interests over the interests of the group. Just look at how the EU acts as one voice and one grouping in terms of trade. We may not be able to pull this off right now (GSP etc. being a factor) however we have to have a "migration plan" of sorts to change the "political stance" in planned manner.

D-8 countries should consider doing the least amount of business with these anti-islamic countries and consider other avenues when shipping through their ports (e.g. shipping through Rotterdam which belongs to the anti-Islamic country of Holland, as seen a few years ago).

But I have no backbone to say this, as Bangladesh does the most amount of business with India anyways and lately, France as well (Thales et al).

All I am saying is that we need to seriously look at this, and act as one group (in D-8's own interest when seemingly prudent and when the time is right.

 

[HalfMoon]

India has chance of winning against D-8.

India's days are numbered now.

 

[bluesky]

D-8 is one of the organizations with the highest potential in the Islamic geography. However, it maintains as an org that is constantly experiencing problems due to the political conjuncture and that countries do not prioritize. I hope we can succeed in taking important steps under the leadership of Bangladesh.

I hope regional politics over territories will not come to the fore of D-8 group. If so, it will destroy the organization by the bickering of some countries. D-8 should be a platform for economic emancipation of the member countries' population and not geopolitics.

 

[nahtanbob]

In addition to defence cooperation (which makes the most sense), we should definitely prioritize trade with D-8 countries, especially in regards to:

1) Low priced agri-exports, floriculture and tea/coffee exports (from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria)
2) Large scale raw material and industrial inputs e.g. Cotton (Egypt, Pakistan), coal products (from Indonesia), and petroleum products (from Iran, Nigeria)
3) Economically manufactured FMCG and Pharma products (from all D-8 countries, Turkey, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey) - I can provide details for this.
4) High/Low technology capital machinery (Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan)- I can provide details for this as well.
5) Large labor-intensive items like shipbuilding (Turkey, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia)

Like the Turkish FM Mr. Çavuşoğlu noted,

"member countries should not only be the users but also the manufacturers of these technologies."

This manufacturing knowhow can only be beneficial to all members if member countries and their investors are willing to pay for ToT like, from Turkey to say, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

I want to emphasize that this trade should not be at the expense of other trading partners (such as China in terms of most D-8 countries and especially South Korea in terms of Indonesia's trade relationship. But priority should be there as far as tariffs and other benefits all the way up to and inclusive of signed bilateral FTA's.

The reason why Muslim countries stay backward is,

a) Our lack of unity when it comes to trade (notice gulf countries have no preference to trade with Muslims - 50% of population in Emirates are Indians and these Emiratis, even Saudis largely trade with Indians).
b) Our non-use of calculated leverage for trade volume (business has to be win-win for both sides, ALL THE DAMN TIME. Islamic countries always compromise to their own detriment when trading with Western countries.)
c) Corrupt leaders in Islamic countries who will bend over backwards to please their Western masters in return for the highest bribe, and some of us (in Bangladesh especially, keep rewarding and reelecting them in spite of this behavior).

There could be much synergy in this area, considering some Western economies (namely France and Denmark) have decided now, to join forces with overt anti-Islamic regimes oppressing Muslims (India).

So far we have shown an embarrassingly low amount of resolve when acting as members of the D-8 grouping as a collective, placing narrow self-interests over the interests of the group. Just look at how the EU acts as one voice and one grouping in terms of trade. We may not be able to pull this off right now (GSP etc. being a factor) however we have to have a "migration plan" of sorts to change the "political stance" in planned manner.

D-8 countries should consider doing the least amount of business with these anti-islamic countries and consider other avenues when shipping through their ports (e.g. shipping through Rotterdam which belongs to the anti-Islamic country of Holland, as seen a few years ago).

But I have no backbone to say this, as Bangladesh does the most amount of business with India anyways and lately, France as well (Thales et al).

All I am saying is that we need to seriously look at this, and act as one group (in D-8's own interest when seemingly prudent and when the time is right.

Pakistan and Bangladesh had a chance to work things as an independent state. It did not work out. What did Pakistanis do for Bangladesh ?

I may argue Middle East is a shithole due to Ottoman rule of the Arab world for centuries

 

[Bilal9]

Pakistan and Bangladesh had a chance to work things as an independent state. It did not work out. What did Pakistanis do for Bangladesh ?

I may argue Middle East is a shithole due to Ottoman rule of the Arab world for centuries

Well you are not privy to History of East Pakistan from 1947 to 1971 Vaidya Nathan.

Since you are not, then I'd rather not discuss this with you.

Please Google, read up on Pakistani rule, ask specific questions then they can be answered.

The Indian Media propaganda that Bengalis were completely oppressed under Pakistani rule is not correct. There were mis-steps in governance and mistakes were made (given Indian designs to break up Pakistan). But all blame cannot be assigned to Pakistani rule.

Ottoman rule in ME is a separate subject and can be discussed with Turkish brothers/sisters.

@T-SaGe brother I don't know if you'd agree. I have no idea.

Rather than doing segways from the main topic, I will comment that D-8 partnership has a high chance of forming a very successful common market (like Schengen in EU), given that all these countries are more or less developing middle income economies.

We can definitely ease visa regimes between these countries to facilitate trade.

 

[nahtanbob]

The Indian Media propaganda that Bengalis were completely oppressed under Pakistani rule is not correct. There were mis-steps in governance and mistakes were made (given Indian designs to break up Pakistan). But all blame cannot be assigned to Pakistani rule.

It is not the Indian media or Indians that decides such things. Bangladesh has enough free thinking individuals to decide otherwise

How come you ask the Turks not their Arab subjects ?

 

[KurtisBrian]

needs an acronym. how about the "Empti bin" gang. who chose to lump those nations together?

 

[Indos]

The organization will be great if both Egypt and Bangladesh practice real democracy. It could become a powerful block in OIC someday.

 

[Bilal9]

needs an acronym. how about the "Empti bin" gang. who chose to lump those nations together?

Fret not Kartik.

India is not an Islamic nation, does not belong in D-8 grouping.

Too bad - so sad...

China will however become an honorary member I predict.

The organization will be great if both Egypt and Bangladesh practice real democracy. It could become a powerful block in OIC someday.

That is a big "If" brother but things are looking up as we speak....

 

[KurtisBrian]

Fret not Kartik.

India is not an Islamic nation, does not belong in D-8 grouping.

Too bad - so sad...

China will however become an honorary member I predict.



That is a big "If" brother but things are looking up as we speak....

China, which makes Muslims no longer Muslim, being made an honorary member of a group of impoverished Muslim nations?

Dude, the acronym is there because it fits and it is a sign. Just like PIIGS fit and QUAD is actually (JU AI = JEW artificial intelligence or Jew puppets). BRICS fit, they were building the world.

people don't even like to listen let alone obey.

 

[Bilal9]

China, which makes Muslims no longer Muslim, being made an honorary member of a group of impoverished Muslim nations?

Dude, the acronym is there because it fits and it is a sign. Just like PIIGS fit and QUAD is actually (JU AI = JEW artificial intelligence or Jew puppets). BRICS fit, they were building the world.

people don't even like to listen let alone obey.

Be Happy Kartik.

Whatever rationalization makes you sleep at night,

 

[Jobless Jack]

China will become honary member.

Yuan will be adopted.

USD will be trashed

Indians will cry.

74 years dreaming of world domination. Only to get cucked by everyone.

Cuck Nation

 

[Indos]

That is a big "If" brother but things are looking up as we speak....

Any idea when Bangladesh will be full democracy ??? You guys dont have history when a military made a coup like in many countries, so I guess the road is more wide open. I think if Hasina dies.

There should be preparation for that, using that momentum to democratize Bangladesh and let all powers there both Nationalist and Islamist live side by side in harmony and compete heathily in real and fair elections where all sides abide with the rule of the game and accept the winner regardless which camp become the leader.

Competition between both camps will make them force to produce good policy, overall it will be good for the long term country future.

 

[Destranator]

Any idea when Bangladesh will be full democracy ??? You guys dont have history when a military made a coup like in many countries, so I guess the road is more wide open. I think if Hasina dies.

Google military coups in Bangladesh.