Na’el Raja AL- Kabariti Chairman March 19,20th 2014

1. The Role of Chambers of Commerce in Promoting Trades between OIC Member States and Increasing the Benefits of the Private Sector from Trade Preference Agreements Na’el Raja AL-Kabariti Chairman March 19,20th 2014

2. Agenda Introduction 1 2 Illuminating Experiences 3 Current State of Intra-Islamic Trade 4 Facts and Figures 5 The Importance of Activating the Trade Preference System 6 • The Importance of Blocs and Main Proposals 7

3. Introduction

4. Illuminating Experiences No issues for O2C

5. The Reality of Intra – Islamic Trade 3 2 1 • We can no longer work separately and compete with one another while economic blocs around us are increasing in number, size, influence and power. Our world does not respect the weak and therefore, we need to take the first step. We have accumulated enough knowledge and experience to reduce the time needed to establish our new economic bloc compared to other blocs, including the EU. • We all recognize and appreciate the efforts exerted by OIC which, despite the substantial challenges facing the Islamic world, strives to increase trade, enhance economic integration, support development projects among its various member states in industry; agriculture; service and trade; and develop SMEs; seeking to achieve food security, fight poverty and create real jobs for young people in order to address widespread unemployment in its member states. International markets, and foreign trade in particular, have come a long way in terms of development and progress in regulation, introduction of new legislations, combating money laundering and eliminating customs barriers and restrictions on the flow of goods and services through blocs and countries; which facilitated import, export and financing processes. Indeed, many Islamic countries produce high quality competitive goods and services which can replace goods and services imported from other blocs, particularly European ones. :

6. Facts and Figures 3 2 1

7. The Importance of Activating the Trade Preference System

8. The Importance of Blocs and Main Proposals

9. The Importance of Blocs and Main Proposals

10. Conclusion • Achieving sustainable development would improve economic performance, help strengthen the economies of Islamic countries and enable them to compete with the economic interests of developed industrial countries which would like our countries to remain nothing more than markets for their products and source for energy and raw material; particularly as Islamic countries have the necessary resources and huge potential; both in terms of area and population. • Political will plays a key role in convergence between OIC member states. Decision makers need to believe in the significance and benefit of Islamic economic integration and put overall Islamic interest before the interests of individual states.