RI to host D-8 ministerial meeting in 2012

Indonesia is expecting to host the third ministerial meeting of the D-8 developing countries group, which will focus on boosting private sector participation in the relatively new partnership.

The D-8 comprises developing countries with large Muslim populations, namely Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

Indonesia's appointment as the host for the 2012 meeting was decided during the D-8 Senior Official Meeting in Tehran, which concluded on Tuesday evening.

Indonesian Maritime and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad headed the Indonesian delegation at the Tehran meeting.

"The D-8 country members agreed at the [Tehran] meeting to commit more to increasing the role of the private sector in the next meeting, so that this organization can take more real actions in realizing the results of its meetings with partnerships with the business world," ministry spokesman Yulistyo Mudho said in a press statement sent to The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.