The Developing-8, mostly called D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation on Monday said it is working toward having a common monetary instrument and establishing industrial park among member states.

The Secretary General of D-8 organization, Ambassador Dato’ Ku Jafafar Ku Shaari disclosed this when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama in Abuja.

D-8, also known as Developing-8, is an organization for development cooperation. Members are Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Turkey.

“We are now talking about establishing industrial park to start with the civil aviation park, we are to visit all members state to explain the way forward in this area,” he said.

He said the delegation visited Nigeria to seek the government’s support to develop industrial park in the country.

According to him, the organisation was looking forward to private partnership from Nigeria through which it could hopefully embark on something solid in the area.

“We are looking at member states to have D-8 designated airports to provide facilities and connectivity between people to people and business to business.

“We are also looking at the future where we will have D-8 association Airport. This is aimed at enhancing trading, exports, tourism among member states,” he said.

He said that other initiative being looked at by the organisation include D-8 credit card which is aimed at enhancing transaction among member states

“We also have initiative in the education sector, we have established D-8 international university that will take off in 2019; we are focusing on science and technology and innovation,” Ku Shaari said.

He said that three Nigerian universities are part of D-8 network institutions, through which they could connect with other universities for research and technology.

He listed the universities as University of Nigeria Nsukka, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and University of Ibadan.

Responding, Mr Onyeama pledged the Federal Government’s support to the D-8 initiatives which he said would be beneficiary to member countries.

Onyeama said that the initiative on education and research and technology development would enhance the development of the developing countries and member states.

The minister called on the D-8 to consider and work on some of challenges that may impede the achievement of its goal especially in the area of trade.