TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Report of the Fourteenth Meeting of the Follow-up Committee of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.............. 7

ANNEXES

I. List of Participants of the Fourteenth Meeting of the Follow-up Committee of the COMCEC............... 23

II. Message of H.E. Süleyman DEMİREL, President of the Republic of Turkey, Chairman of the COMCEC................................................. 33

III. Opening Statement by H.E. Işın ÇELEBİ, Minister of State of the Republic of Turkey, Chairman of the Follow-up Committee.................................... 37

IV. Message of H.E. Dr. Azeddine LARAKI, Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference................................................. 45

V. Agenda of the Fourteenth Meeting of the Follow-up Committee of the COMCEC............................. 51

VI. Background Report by the OIC General Secretariat.. 55

VII. Review of the Plan of Action on the Implementation of the Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation Among OIC Member States........................................................ 87

VIII. Monitoring Report on the World Trade Organization (WTO) Matters Submitted by OIC..... 95

Page

IX. Progress Report on the Islamic Development Bank's Technical Assistance to Member Countries

in Matters Related to the World Trade Organization 105

X. Report on the Implications of WTO Regulations for

OIC Member States Trade Submitted by ICC1........ 115

XI. Issues Relating to the Activities of the World Trade Organization, Document Submitted by ICDT......... 125

XII. Statute for the Standards and Metrology Institute for

. Islamic Countries (SMIIC).............................. 131

XIII. Draft Agenda of the Fourteenth Session of the COMCEC.................................................. 157

XIV. Closing Statement by H.E. Ambassador Yaşar YAKIŞ, Chairman of the Closing Session............. 161

REPORT

OF THE FOURTEENTH MEETING OF THE

FOLLOW-UP COMMITTEE OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE

FOR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION OF THE

ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE

(Istanbul, 9-11 May 1998)

OIC/COMCEC-FC714-98/REP

Original : English

REPORT

OF THE FOURTEENTH MEETING OF THE

FOLLOW-UP COMMITTEE OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE

FOR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION OF THE

ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE

(Istanbul, 9-11 May 1998)

1. The Fourteenth Meeting of the Follow-up Committee of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (COMCEC) was held in Istanbul, from 9 to 11 May 1998.

The representatives of the following Member States of the Committee

attended the Meeting:

- Republic of Turkey

- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

- State of Palestine

- State of Kuwait

- Republic of Indonesia

- Islamic Republic of Iran

- Islamic Republic of Pakistan

- Arab Republic of Egypt

- Republic of Cameroon

(Chairman)

(Vice-Chairman, Permanent Member)

(Vice-Chairman, Representing the Arab Region)

(Vice-Chairman, Representing the Asian Region)

(Vice-Chairman, Current Chairman of the Islamic Summit Conference)

(Rapporteur)

(Member of the Previous Bureau)

OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

3. The representatives of the General Secretariat and the following OIC subsidiary, specialized and affiliated institutions also attended the Meeting:

- Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRTCIC)

- Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (1CDT)

- Islamic Institute of Technology (IIT)

- Islamic Development Bank (IDB)

- Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)

(A copy of the list of participants is attached as Annex I).

Opening Session

4. The Meeting was inaugurated by Mr. Timuçin SANALAN, Deputy Undersecretary of the State Planning Organization of Turkey, on behalf of HE. Işın ÇELEBİ, Minister of State of the Republic of Turkey.

5. In his message addressed to the Meeting, RE. Süleyman DEMİREL, President of the Republic of Turkey and Chairman of the COMCEC, underlined that substantial developments had taken place worldwide, since the COMCEC became operational in 1984, and now globalization was shaping the future of the world. H.E. Süleyman DEMİREL also stated that thanks to the formulation of the new Strategy and Plan of Action, the COMCEC had been able to better adapt its activities to the current trends on the world economic and political scene. Expressing his satisfaction at the progress in the implementation of the Plan of Action, the President wished success to the Committee in its important task.

(A copy of the text of the message of H.E. Süleyman DEMİREL ıs attached as Annex II).

OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

6. The Meeting then listened to the statement of H.E. Işın ÇELEBİ, Minister of State of the Republic of Turkey. In his statement the Minister welcomed the delegates to Istanbul and expressed thanks to the General Secretariat of the OIC, and its affiliated and subsidiary institutions, for their valuable contributions to the work of the COMCEC.

The Minister pointed out that the progress regarding the implementation of the Plan of Action had been promising and concrete project proposals had been considered at the three sectoral experts' group meetings held so far.

H. E. ÇELEBİ, referring to the globalization process, stated that the main task of the COMCEC was to give priority to the lifting of trade barriers, the setting up of a free market economy and encouragement and promotion of the private sector in the OIC region. Stressing the importance of creating such an environment, with the requisite fully developed legal and physical infrastructure, the Minister felt that a higher level of integration among the economies of the member countries should be encouraged. H.E. ÇELEBİ wished every success to the meeting.

(The text of the Statement of H.E. Işın ÇELEBİ is attached as Annex III).

7. The Meeting was also addressed by H.E. Ambassador Nabika DIALLO, Assistant Secretary General of OIC, who conveyed the message of the OIC Secretary General, H.E. Dr. Azzeddine LARAKİ. The Secretary General expressed his gratitude to H.E. Süleyman DEMİREL, President of the Republic of Turkey and Chairman of the COMCEC, and to the Government of the Republic of Turkey for their unfailing interest in and abiding commitment to the promotion of economic and commercial cooperation among Member States. The OIC Secretary General appealed to Member States to consolidate their cooperation and the integration of their economies, with a view to accelerating their development and avoid further marginalization in the face of the new world situation, characterized by globalization and the constitution of major blocs. H.E. LARAKİ wished success to the Meeting.

(A copy of the text of the message of H.E. Azeddine LARAKI attached as Annex IV).

OlC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

8. The Meeting was then addressed by the Heads of Delegation of the State of Kuwait, the Republic of Indonesia, the State of Palestine and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Heads of Delegation expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Government of Turkey for the excellent arrangements made for the Meeting. Stressing the importance of the crucial changes in the world political and economic climate, the Heads of Delegation underlined in their statements the urgent need to enhance solidarity among member countries, and to seek ways and means of promoting cooperation based on concrete and realistic projects.

9. After the adoption of the Agenda, the Meeting set up an open-ended Drafting Committee under the Chairmianship of the Rapporteur. H.E. Ambassador Hümayun Khan BANGASH, Head of the Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

(A copy of the Agenda as adopted by the Committee is attached as Annex V).

Report of the QIC General Secretariat

10. Under Agenda Item 3, H.E. Ambassador Nabıka DIALLO, Assistant Secretary Genera! of OIC, introduced the Background Report of the General Secretariat, which was subsequently summarized by HE. Ambassador Motahar HOSSAIN, Director of Economic Affairs of the OIC General Secretariat. In his presentation H.E. HOSSAIN highlighted the progress achieved towards the implementation of the resolutions of the COMCEC pertaining to the agenda items.

11. The Committee took note of the Report of the General Secretariat and expressed thanks for its preparation.

12. The Committee noted with appreciation that ICCI, in collaboration with the General Union of the Lebanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, would be organizing the Fifth Private Sector Meeting in Lebanon, from 12 to 14 October 1993. The Committee appealed to member countries to urge their private sector representatives to actively participate in the meeting.

01C/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

13. The Committee noted with appreciation that the Seventh Islamic Trade Fair would be organized from 13 to 18 October 1998, in Lebanon, in cooperation with 1CDT, ICC1 and other relevant institutions, and that the United Arab Emirates had offered to host the Eighth Islamic Trade Fair in the year 2000. The Committee appealed to Member States to participate in the Seventh and Eighth Islamic Trade Fairs, and to offer to host the subsequent ones.

14. The Committee appreciated the willingness of the State of Palestine to host a workshop on "Environment and Population" and an expert group meeting on "Social Development and Urban Planning".

15. The Committee also appreciated that IIT would be organizing an international seminar on "Human Resources Development for Sustained Economic Growth and Poverty Alleviation in the Member States of OIC" from 6 to 8 October 1998 in Dhaka, in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh.

(The text of the Background Report of the General Secretariat is attached as Annex VI).

Review of the Implementation of the Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation Among OIC Member States

16. Under Agenda Item 4, H.E. Ambassador DIALLO, the OIC Assistant Secretary General, introduced a report on the implementation of the Plan of Action. H.E. Ambassador Motahar HOSSAIN, Director of Economic Affairs of the OIC General Secretariat, subsequently presented the report. H.E. HOSSAIN gave backgiound infonnation on the efforts made to implement the OIC Plan of Action and reviewed the status of sectoral experts' group meetings convened in this context.

OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

17. The Committee expressed its appreciation to the Republic of Turkey for convening the sectoral experts group meetings in the areas of "Money, Banking and Capital Flows" and "Technology and Technical Cooperation" in the Plan of Action, and to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for hosting the sectoral expert group meeting on "Foreign Trade" since the last Meeting of the Follow-up Committee.

18. The Committee also expressed its appreciation to the Arab Republic of Egypt for reaffirming its proposal to convene the two sectoral experts' group meetings on "Food, Agriculture and Rural Development" and "Transport and Communications", prior to the Fourteenth Session of the COMCEC, with dates and venue to be communicated to member countries, through the OIC General Secretariat, in due course.

19. The Committee welcomed the reaffirmation of the offer of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to host the sectoral expert group meeting on Tourism within the framework of the Implementation of the Plan of Action.

20. The Committee requested the member countries that had already offered to host sectoral expert group meetings to expedite action for their early convening and renewed its appeal that offers be made to host similar meetings on the remaining sectors of industry, energy and mining, human resources development and 'environment.

21. The Committee urged the interested member countries to expedite the formation of the project committees as envisaged in the Plan of Action, with a view to implementing the projects proposed during the expert group meetings held so far.

(The Report of the OIC General Secretariat on the Implementation of the Plan of Action, is attached as Annex VII.)

OIC/C'OMC'EC-FC/14-98/REP

Matters Relating to the World Trade Organization (WTO)

22. Under Agenda Item 5, the representatives of the OIC General Secretariat, the Islamic Development Bank, the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry', presented reports regarding WTO Meetings and related issues.

23. The Committee took note with appreciation of the monitoring reports submitted by the General Secretariat and related institutions of OIC on matters related to WTO.

24. The Committee thanked the Islamic Development Bank for its efforts to assist the OIC Member Countries in their endeavors to become active members of WTO. The Committee also expressed its satisfaction at the technical assistance programmes of the Islamic Development Bank to assist those member countries which were in the process of accession to WTO. The Committee also appreciated the Bank's efforts to organise consultative meetings among member countries prior to the WTO Ministerial Meetings as well as preparatory seminars and workshops for this purpose.

25. The Committee noted the statements by various delegations to the effect that developed countries were using issues such as child labour, ISO-9000 Quality Systems Management Standards and anti-dumping measures as a new form of protectionism being practiced against the exports of the developing countries. The Committee felt that consultations among the OIC Member Countries prior to the WTO ministerial conferences would enable them to coordinate their positions on these issues. The Committee also noted with appreciation that SESRTC1C would organize a workshop on "İrade and Labor Standards" in October 1998, in Ankara.

(The copies of the papers submitted by the OIC General Secretariat, IDB, ICCT and ICDT, are attached as Annexes VIII, IX, X and XI respectively.)

OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

Draft Statute of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SM1I)

26. Under Agenda Item 6, the Committee considered the Draft Statute of the Standards and Metrology Institute which was reviewed, from the legal and technical points of view, by the 8^th Meeting of the Standardization Experts' Group organized by the Turkish Standards Institution from 24 to 26 March 1998, in Ankara, in collaboration with the General Secretariat of OIC, and thanked the Government of Turkey for hosting the Meeting.

27. For the sake of clarity, the Committee decided to recommend for consideration by the Fourteenth Session of the COMCEC, the following amended text for Article 9.1: "The funds of the Institute shall be derived from the mandatory contributions of its members, services, sale of publications and voluntary contributions. The scale of the mandatory contributions shall be determined by the General Assembly..."

28. The Committee noted with appreciation the willingness of the State of Palestine to host the headquarters of the Standard and Metrology Institute (SMIIC) in Palestine, after the initial period of three years during which the headquarters will be hosted by Turkey.

29. The Committee requested the OIC General Secretariat to submit for approval the revised Draft Statute to the 14^th Session of the COMCEC, to be held from 1 to 4 November 1998 in Istanbul.

(The Draft Statute for the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries is attached as Annex XII.)

OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

Preparations for the Exchange of Views on 'Intra-OIC Trade and Investments, Economic Stabilization and Structural Reforms in Member Countries'.

30. Under Agenda Item 7, the representative of the COMCEC Coordination Office made a presentation on the preparations for the exchange of views on 'Tntra-OIC Trade and Investments, Economic Stabilisation and Structural Refonns in Member Countries" to be conducted during the 14^th Session of the COMCEC.

31. The Committee recommended that relevant OIC and other international organizations such as IBRD, IMF, OECD and experts of international repute be invited to the session to present papers on the subject.

32. The Committee noted with satisfaction that the Ankara Center and Islamic Centre for Development of Trade would be jointly organizing a workshop on the subject, with the help of the IDB in October 1998, in Casablanca. The Committee felt that the report of the workshop would constitute a major input for the exchange of views to be conducted during the 14th Session of the COMCEC.

33. The Committee requested the General Secretariat to make the necessary arrangements, in cooperation with the COMCEC Coordination Office and other relevant OIC institutions, for an effective and in-depth exchange of views on the subject.

34. The Committee decided to resubmit to the 14^th Session of the COMCEC, the following proposals as possible themes for the exchange of views to take place during the 15^th Session of the COMCEC:

a) Human Resource Development for Sustained Economic Growth and Progress in Member Countries.

b) Strengthening Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Facing Globalization and Liberalization.

c) Poverty Alleviation in Member Countries.

OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

d) Promotion of Private Sector Investments in Member Countries and the role of IDB in this regard.

e) Effects of non-Tariff Barriers applied by certain countries on the Foreign Trade of Member Countries.

f) Foreign Aid and the Least Developed Member Countries.

35. The Committee felt that further proposals could be submitted by member states to the 14^th Session of the COMCEC.

Draft Agenda of the Fourteenth Session of the COMCEC

36. Under Agenda Item 8, the Committee considered the Draft Agenda of the Fourteenth Session of the COMCEC to be held from 1 to 4 November 1998, in Istanbul.

37. The Committee reviewed the Draft Agenda, and decided to submit it to the Fourteenth Session of the COMCEC.

38. The Committee appealed to the member states representing the three geographical regions in the Bureau of the COMCEC, namely the State of Kuwait (Arab Region), the Republic of Indonesia (Asian Region), the Republic of Uganda (African Region), to undertake consultations, prior to the 14^th Session of the COMCEC, with the member countries in their respective regions with a view to detennining the new members which would represent their regions in the Bureau of the COMCEC until the Ninth Islamic Summit Conference.

(A copy of the Draft Agenda of the Fourteenth Session of the COMCEC, as approved by the Committee, is attached as Annex XIII).

OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

Closing Session

39. At its closing session, chaired by H.E. Ambassador Yaşar YAKIŞ, Head of the Delegation of the Republic of Turkey, on behalf of H.E. Işın ÇELEBİ, Minister of State of the Republic of Turkey, the Committee adopted its Report together with its Annexes. The Committee requested the OIC General Secretariat to circulate the Report among the Member States, and to submit it to the Fourteenth Session of the COMCEC.

40. H.E. Ambassador Hümayun Khan BANGASH Head of Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, proposed to send a message of thanks to H.E. Süleyman DEMİREL, President of the Republic of Turkey and Chainnan of the COMCEC, which was unanimously agreed by the Committee.

41. H.E. Edmond M. MOAMPEA MBIO, State Secretary of Commerce and Industry and Head of Delegation of the Republic of Cameroon, made a statement on behalf of the delegates. H.E. MOAMPEA MBIO expressed his sincere thanks to the Government and people of Turkey for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to the delegates during their stay in Istanbul. H.E. the State Secretary' also thanked the Chainnan of the Meeting and all the supporting staff for the excellent arrangements made for the Meeting.

42. In his closing statement, H.E. Ambassador Yaşar YAKIŞ expressed his thanks to the delegates for their valuable contributions and spirit of cooperation. H.E. YAKIŞ, also thanked the General Secretariat, subsidiary and affiliated institutions of the OIC for their valuable assistance. He expressed his confidence thai the recommendations made at the end of their deliberations would be instrumental in enhancing the effectiveness of the COMCEC and open new avenues for closer economic cooperation among the Member Countries. Finally, H.E. Ambassador Yaşar YAKIŞ, wished the delegates a safe journey home.

(A copy of the text of the Closing Statement by H.E. Ambassador Yaşar YAKIŞ, is attached as Annex XIV).

-I-

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

OF THE FOURTEENTH MEETING OF THE FOLLOW-UP COMMITTEE OF THE COMCEC

(Istanbul, 9-11 May 1998)

Annex I to OIC/COMCEC-FC/ İ4-98/REP

QriginaE English

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

OF THE FOURTEENTH MEETING OF THE

FOLLOW UP COMMITTEE OF THE COMCEC

(Istanbul, 9- 11 May 1998)

A. MEMBER STATES OF THE QIC REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON

- RE. EDMOND M.MOAMPEA MBIO State Secretary of Commerce and Industry

- Mr. AKOM MVONDO

Chief of International Cooperation Department

ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT

- H.E. MAHDY FATHALLA Ambassador of Egypt to Turkey

- Dr. MOUSTAFA KHALEF

Head of Egyptian Commercial Office in İstanbul

- Mr. MOHAMMED FATHI EDREES Second Secretary, Embassy of Egypt in Ankara

- Mr. AHMED IBRAHIM

Assistant to the Head of the Egyptian Commercial Office in İstanbul

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

- H.E SOELARSO H. SOEBROTO Ambassador of Indonesia to Turkey

- Ms. NINİEK K. NARYATIE S1SWOJO Second Secretary. Indonesia Embassy in Ankara

Annex I to OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

- Mr.SEMİH TEZCAN Honorary Consul General of Indonesia in Istanbul

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

- HE. Dr. ALI ABBAS AR ABM AZAR

Deputy for International Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs

- Mr. M.H LAVASANI Ambassador to Turkey

- Dr. ABDL RAHİM GAVAHI Adviser to the Foreign Minister

- Mr. ABDOL ALI AMIDI

Director General, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs

- Mr. ALI REZA EGHLIM Expert, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

STATE OF KUWAIT

- Mr. ISHAQ ABDULGANI ABDULKARIM

Director, International Economic Cooperation Department Ministry of Finance

- Mr. MISHAL MENWER Al-ARDHI

Head of the OIC Affairs Division, Ministry of Finance

- Mr. SAAD AL-ALATI

Economic Researcher, Ministry of Finance

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN

- H.E. HÜMAYUN KHAN BANGASH Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey

- Mr. RAHAT UL-AIN

Consul General, Pakistan Consulate in Istanbul

Annex I to OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

- Mr. FARUKH AMİL

First Secretary, Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara

STATE OF PALESTINE

- Dr. JABR ABU AL-NAJA

General Director, Department Asia, Africa and Islamic Affairs

- Mr. MOSLEH KHALDOON

Director of the Arab-Palestinian Economic Relations

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

- Dr. HAMAD ABDULHAMID AL-AWFY Director General for Quality Control and Inspection

- Mr ABDULMUM1N MOHAMMED SHARAF First Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

- Mr. HASSAN ABDULLAH AL-SHEHRI Economist, Ministry of Commerce

- Mr. ABDULMUHSEN MOHAMMED AL-YOUSSEF Director General, International Coordination Department

- Mr DEKHIL IBN ABDULLAH AL-DEKHIL Ministry of Finance and Natinal Economy

REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

- H.E. YAŞAR YAKIŞ

Ambassador of Turkey to Cairo

- Mr. OĞUZ ÖZBİLGİN

Deputy Secretary General, President's Office

- Mr. TİMUÇİN SANALAN

Deputy Undersecretary, State Planning Organization



	ADDRESS:

	COMCEC Coordination Office Necatibey Cad. 108 Ankara TURKEY

	Tel Tlfax Tlx Website e-mail	90-312-231 97 40 90-312-232 10 66 4210 10 DPT TR http://wwvv.dpt.gov.tr ykaraca @ dpt.gov.tr.



	OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

	REPORT OF THE FOURTEENTH MEETING OF THE FOLLOW-UP COMMITTEE OF THE COMCEC Istanbul, 9-11 May 1998

	COMCEC Coordination Office Ankara, May 1998



	Page IX. Progress Report on the Islamic Development Bank's Technical Assistance to Member Countries in Matters Related to the World Trade Organization 105 X. Report on the Implications of WTO Regulations for OIC Member States Trade Submitted by ICC1........ 115 XI. Issues Relating to the Activities of the World Trade Organization, Document Submitted by ICDT......... 125 XII. Statute for the Standards and Metrology Institute for . Islamic Countries (SMIIC).............................. 131 XIII. Draft Agenda of the Fourteenth Session of the COMCEC.................................................. 157 XIV. Closing Statement by H.E. Ambassador Yaşar YAKIŞ, Chairman of the Closing Session............. 161

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	REPORT OF THE FOURTEENTH MEETING OF THE FOLLOW-UP COMMITTEE OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL COOPERATION OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (Istanbul, 9-11 May 1998)



	OIC/C'OMC'EC-FC/14-98/REP Matters Relating to the World Trade Organization (WTO) 22. Under Agenda Item 5, the representatives of the OIC General Secretariat, the Islamic Development Bank, the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade, and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry', presented reports regarding WTO Meetings and related issues. 23. The Committee took note with appreciation of the monitoring reports submitted by the General Secretariat and related institutions of OIC on matters related to WTO. 24. The Committee thanked the Islamic Development Bank for its efforts to assist the OIC Member Countries in their endeavors to become active members of WTO. The Committee also expressed its satisfaction at the technical assistance programmes of the Islamic Development Bank to assist those member countries which were in the process of accession to WTO. The Committee also appreciated the Bank's efforts to organise consultative meetings among member countries prior to the WTO Ministerial Meetings as well as preparatory seminars and workshops for this purpose. 25. The Committee noted the statements by various delegations to the effect that developed countries were using issues such as child labour, ISO-9000 Quality Systems Management Standards and anti-dumping measures as a new form of protectionism being practiced against the exports of the developing countries. The Committee felt that consultations among the OIC Member Countries prior to the WTO ministerial conferences would enable them to coordinate their positions on these issues. The Committee also noted with appreciation that SESRTC1C would organize a workshop on "İrade and Labor Standards" in October 1998, in Ankara. (The copies of the papers submitted by the OIC General Secretariat, IDB, ICCT and ICDT, are attached as Annexes VIII, IX, X and XI respectively.)

	13



	OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP Draft Statute of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SM1I) 26. Under Agenda Item 6, the Committee considered the Draft Statute of the Standards and Metrology Institute which was reviewed, from the legal and technical points of view, by the 8^th Meeting of the Standardization Experts' Group organized by the Turkish Standards Institution from 24 to 26 March 1998, in Ankara, in collaboration with the General Secretariat of OIC, and thanked the Government of Turkey for hosting the Meeting. 27. For the sake of clarity, the Committee decided to recommend for consideration by the Fourteenth Session of the COMCEC, the following amended text for Article 9.1: "The funds of the Institute shall be derived from the mandatory contributions of its members, services, sale of publications and voluntary contributions. The scale of the mandatory contributions shall be determined by the General Assembly..." 28. The Committee noted with appreciation the willingness of the State of Palestine to host the headquarters of the Standard and Metrology Institute (SMIIC) in Palestine, after the initial period of three years during which the headquarters will be hosted by Turkey. 29. The Committee requested the OIC General Secretariat to submit for approval the revised Draft Statute to the 14^th Session of the COMCEC, to be held from 1 to 4 November 1998 in Istanbul. (The Draft Statute for the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries is attached as Annex XII.)

	14



	OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP Preparations for the Exchange of Views on 'Intra-OIC Trade and Investments, Economic Stabilization and Structural Reforms in Member Countries'. 30. Under Agenda Item 7, the representative of the COMCEC Coordination Office made a presentation on the preparations for the exchange of views on 'Tntra-OIC Trade and Investments, Economic Stabilisation and Structural Refonns in Member Countries" to be conducted during the 14^th Session of the COMCEC. 31. The Committee recommended that relevant OIC and other international organizations such as IBRD, IMF, OECD and experts of international repute be invited to the session to present papers on the subject. 32. The Committee noted with satisfaction that the Ankara Center and Islamic Centre for Development of Trade would be jointly organizing a workshop on the subject, with the help of the IDB in October 1998, in Casablanca. The Committee felt that the report of the workshop would constitute a major input for the exchange of views to be conducted during the 14th Session of the COMCEC. 33. The Committee requested the General Secretariat to make the necessary arrangements, in cooperation with the COMCEC Coordination Office and other relevant OIC institutions, for an effective and in-depth exchange of views on the subject. 34. The Committee decided to resubmit to the 14^th Session of the COMCEC, the following proposals as possible themes for the exchange of views to take place during the 15^th Session of the COMCEC: a) Human Resource Development for Sustained Economic Growth and Progress in Member Countries. b) Strengthening Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Facing Globalization and Liberalization. c) Poverty Alleviation in Member Countries.

	15



	OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

	Closing Session 39. At its closing session, chaired by H.E. Ambassador Yaşar YAKIŞ, Head of the Delegation of the Republic of Turkey, on behalf of H.E. Işın ÇELEBİ, Minister of State of the Republic of Turkey, the Committee adopted its Report together with its Annexes. The Committee requested the OIC General Secretariat to circulate the Report among the Member States, and to submit it to the Fourteenth Session of the COMCEC. 40. H.E. Ambassador Hümayun Khan BANGASH Head of Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, proposed to send a message of thanks to H.E. Süleyman DEMİREL, President of the Republic of Turkey and Chainnan of the COMCEC, which was unanimously agreed by the Committee. 41. H.E. Edmond M. MOAMPEA MBIO, State Secretary of Commerce and Industry and Head of Delegation of the Republic of Cameroon, made a statement on behalf of the delegates. H.E. MOAMPEA MBIO expressed his sincere thanks to the Government and people of Turkey for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to the delegates during their stay in Istanbul. H.E. the State Secretary' also thanked the Chainnan of the Meeting and all the supporting staff for the excellent arrangements made for the Meeting. 42. In his closing statement, H.E. Ambassador Yaşar YAKIŞ expressed his thanks to the delegates for their valuable contributions and spirit of cooperation. H.E. YAKIŞ, also thanked the General Secretariat, subsidiary and affiliated institutions of the OIC for their valuable assistance. He expressed his confidence thai the recommendations made at the end of their deliberations would be instrumental in enhancing the effectiveness of the COMCEC and open new avenues for closer economic cooperation among the Member Countries. Finally, H.E. Ambassador Yaşar YAKIŞ, wished the delegates a safe journey home. (A copy of the text of the Closing Statement by H.E. Ambassador Yaşar YAKIŞ, is attached as Annex XIV).

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	-I- LIST OF PARTICIPANTS OF THE FOURTEENTH MEETING OF THE FOLLOW-UP COMMITTEE OF THE COMCEC (Istanbul, 9-11 May 1998)



	Annex I to OIC/COMCEC-FC/ İ4-98/REP

	QriginaE English

	LIST OF PARTICIPANTS OF THE FOURTEENTH MEETING OF THE FOLLOW UP COMMITTEE OF THE COMCEC (Istanbul, 9- 11 May 1998) A. MEMBER STATES OF THE QIC REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON - RE. EDMOND M.MOAMPEA MBIO State Secretary of Commerce and Industry - Mr. AKOM MVONDO Chief of International Cooperation Department ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT - H.E. MAHDY FATHALLA Ambassador of Egypt to Turkey - Dr. MOUSTAFA KHALEF Head of Egyptian Commercial Office in İstanbul - Mr. MOHAMMED FATHI EDREES Second Secretary, Embassy of Egypt in Ankara - Mr. AHMED IBRAHIM Assistant to the Head of the Egyptian Commercial Office in İstanbul REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA - H.E SOELARSO H. SOEBROTO Ambassador of Indonesia to Turkey - Ms. NINİEK K. NARYATIE S1SWOJO Second Secretary. Indonesia Embassy in Ankara

	23



	Annex I to OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

	- Mr.SEMİH TEZCAN Honorary Consul General of Indonesia in Istanbul

	ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN - HE. Dr. ALI ABBAS AR ABM AZAR Deputy for International Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs - Mr. M.H LAVASANI Ambassador to Turkey - Dr. ABDL RAHİM GAVAHI Adviser to the Foreign Minister - Mr. ABDOL ALI AMIDI Director General, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs - Mr. ALI REZA EGHLIM Expert, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

	STATE OF KUWAIT - Mr. ISHAQ ABDULGANI ABDULKARIM Director, International Economic Cooperation Department Ministry of Finance - Mr. MISHAL MENWER Al-ARDHI Head of the OIC Affairs Division, Ministry of Finance - Mr. SAAD AL-ALATI Economic Researcher, Ministry of Finance

	ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN - H.E. HÜMAYUN KHAN BANGASH Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey - Mr. RAHAT UL-AIN Consul General, Pakistan Consulate in Istanbul

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	Annex I to OIC/COMCEC-FC/14-98/REP

	- Mr. FARUKH AMİL First Secretary, Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara STATE OF PALESTINE - Dr. JABR ABU AL-NAJA General Director, Department Asia, Africa and Islamic Affairs - Mr. MOSLEH KHALDOON Director of the Arab-Palestinian Economic Relations

	KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA - Dr. HAMAD ABDULHAMID AL-AWFY Director General for Quality Control and Inspection - Mr ABDULMUM1N MOHAMMED SHARAF First Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Mr. HASSAN ABDULLAH AL-SHEHRI Economist, Ministry of Commerce - Mr. ABDULMUHSEN MOHAMMED AL-YOUSSEF Director General, International Coordination Department - Mr DEKHIL IBN ABDULLAH AL-DEKHIL Ministry of Finance and Natinal Economy REPUBLIC OF TURKEY - H.E. YAŞAR YAKIŞ Ambassador of Turkey to Cairo - Mr. OĞUZ ÖZBİLGİN Deputy Secretary General, President's Office - Mr. TİMUÇİN SANALAN Deputy Undersecretary, State Planning Organization

	25