Photo: Internet

Developing 8 Countries (D8) Summit opened on Thursday in Islamabad with the theme: "Democratic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity". Head of state members including Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey participated in the summit which is considered one of the important forums for countries to exchange opinion about regional and global common issues. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari urged the members to enhance cooperation for the prosperity of more than 1 billion people through encouraging the flows of goods, human resources and free trade. He also proposed some solutions to strengthen intra-economic cooperation and stressed the importance of development and commercial banks. President Zardari encouraged private economic sectors, promoted relationship between the members’ Chamber of Commerce and simplification of customs and visa procedures. Most of the members of D-8 have passed the Preferential Trade Agreements (PTA).