Warm welcome. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (right) welcomes Developing 8 (D-8) Secretary General, Seyed Ali-Mohammad Mousavi (left), to the Presidential Office in Jakarta, on Tuesday. The D-8 secretary general is consult with his Indonesian counterparts to improve cooperation between D-8 members. (JP/Jerry Adiguna)

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked visiting Developing 8 (D-8) secretary-general Seyed Ali Mohammad Mousavi to help improve cooperation among member states, in particular on the economy and trade.

'D-8 is a very important organization. I believe there is ample room and potential for stronger cooperation,' said Yudhoyono, speaking prior to a closed-door meeting with Mousavi at his office in Jakarta on Tuesday.

'I hope, in the years to come, we can enhance good ties and cooperation in many areas, particularly economy and trade,' said the President, who was accompanied by State Secretary Sudi Silalahi and Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam.

Mousavi's official visit to Indonesia is part of his first official trip since he assumed office earlier this year.

Iranian Mousavi was appointed D-8 secretary general for 2013-2017 during the grouping's summit in Islamabad, Pakistan, last year. He replaced Indonesian Widi A. Pratikto.

Mousavi praised Indonesia's active role in the D-8.

'Indonesia is D-8's most active and most important member. We really count on their continuous support,' he said in a press statement after the meeting.

D-8 is a group of developing countries with large Muslim populations that have formed an economic development alliance. It consists of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

Current chair Pakistan will hand over its chairmanship to Turkey, which will host the upcoming summit in 2014. (ebf)

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