"D8" developing nations adopt trade blueprint: official

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — Leaders from the D8 group of developing nations Tuesday adopted an ambitious 10-year blueprint to substantially increase trade between their countries, an official said.

"The leaders have agreed to the roadmap," a Malaysian foreign ministry official involved in the negotiations told AFP.

The so-called "D8" comprises Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey and is meeting as the Group of Eight (G8) industrial powers holds a high profile annual summit in Japan.

The trade agreement, to run from 2008 to 2018, details economic and business activities that member nations will pursue over the next decade.

"It is a guideline for a vision and framework for enhancing cooperation. It covers sectors from...