Tunisian Minister of Trade and Export Development Samir Abid recently participated in the 42nd ministerial session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OCI) Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) in Istanbul, Turkey. On November 2-3, 2026, Abid emphasized the need for innovative financing mechanisms to support trade and exports among OCI member states. He advocated for complementarity between financing, guarantees, insurance, and simplified procedures to transform export opportunities into concrete and sustainable operations.
Abid highlighted the importance of effective trade financing instruments to stimulate exports among OCI member countries. He also stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between financing and guarantee agencies and enterprise support structures to boost commercial exchanges and facilitate transactions between member states. The minister's statement was reported by the Tunisian Ministry of Trade in a communiqué published on November 3, 2026.
During the session, Abid showcased Tunisia's experience in trade financing, which relies on complementarity between state interventions and those of public agencies promoting exports. This approach is supported by a network of institutions specializing in financing, guarantees, insurance, and commercial promotion, as well as efforts to digitize foreign trade procedures. Abid expressed Tunisia's willingness to share its expertise with other OCI member states to develop commercial exchanges between them.
The COMCEC session was held under the theme "Developing Effective Trade Financing Instruments to Increase Exports of OCI Member States." In addition to his speech, Abid met with his counterparts from various OCI member countries, including Turkey, Libya, Niger, Djibouti, and Pakistan. These meetings aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and discuss ways to enhance economic relations between Tunisia and these countries.
Abid also met with Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid Saleh, Senegalese Minister of Industry and Commerce Serigne Gueye Diop, and Director-General of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Adib Youssef Al-Aama. Furthermore, he held discussions with the new OCI Secretary-General, Ismaïl Ould Cheikh Ahmed. These interactions underscored the importance of collaboration and coordination among OCI member states to promote economic growth and trade.
The Tunisian minister's call for innovative financing mechanisms reflects the country's efforts to enhance its export sector and strengthen economic ties with other OCI member states. By sharing its experience and expertise, Tunisia aims to contribute to the development of a more robust and dynamic trade environment within the OCI. This, in turn, can help increase exports and foster economic growth among member countries.
The 42nd COMCEC session provided a platform for OCI member states to discuss trade-related issues and explore opportunities for cooperation. The meeting's outcomes and recommendations are expected to shape the future of trade and economic relations among OCI member countries. As the global economy continues to evolve, the importance of innovative financing mechanisms and strengthened cooperation among nations will remain crucial for promoting sustainable economic growth.
Key points
- Tunisian Minister of Trade and Export Development Samir Abid calls for innovative financing mechanisms to support trade and exports among OCI member states.
- Abid showcases Tunisia's experience in trade financing, highlighting the importance of complementarity between state interventions and public agencies promoting exports.
- The 42nd COMCEC session aims to develop effective trade financing instruments to increase exports among OCI member states.
