The event is aimed to utilize capacities in order to increase the influence of D8 countries in global industry, Iranian Industries and Mines Minister Ali-Akbar Mehrabian said, IRINN news network reported.
He expressed hope that the summit will take a huge step in enhancing cooperation and consolidating economic relations among the member states in fighting global threats.
The Iranian official further expressed hope that the meeting will bring about higher living standards in D8 countries and will have positive results in Iran's industry sector.
The D8 members include Iran, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.
The combined population of the eight countries is about 60 percent of the Muslim people, or close to 13 percent of the world’s population.
Following the “Conference on Cooperation for Development”, on October 22, 1996, and after a series of preparatory meetings, the establishment of D8 was announced officially by the Summit of Heads of State in Istanbul, on June 15, 1997.
The objectives of D8 are to improve developing countries’ positions in the world economy, diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations, enhance participation in decision-making at the international level, and provide better standards of living.
Around 400 domestic and foreign guests have been invited to the event.
MRK/HB
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MNA