Tunisian Trade and Export Development Minister Samir Oubid has called for the development of innovative mechanisms and initiatives to finance trade and exports among member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. This would help convert untapped trade opportunities into actual and sustainable exports, enhancing intra-trade and supporting economic growth. Oubid made these remarks during the 42nd session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, held in Istanbul on November 2-3, 2026.
The Minister emphasized the importance of developing trade finance tools as a lever to enhance the competitiveness of exporting institutions, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, and facilitate their access to foreign markets. He noted that this is especially crucial in the face of rising protectionism, trade wars, and disruptions to international supply chains, as well as increased production and transportation costs and growing commercial and geopolitical risks.
Oubid reviewed Tunisia's experience in trade finance and export development, which relies on the integration of state and public institution interventions, along with a system of specialized institutions for finance, guarantee, insurance, and promotion. He stressed the need to deepen cooperation between finance and guarantee institutions and support structures in member states and leverage the role of institutions affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Islamic Development Bank Group.
The Minister called for the establishment of practical programs and projects that integrate the roles of various Organization institutions, ensuring a link between finance, guarantee, insurance, and procedural facilitation. This would help build productive and commercial value chains, develop necessary infrastructure for trade flows between member states, and enhance intra-trade.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Oubid held bilateral meetings with several counterparts, including trade ministers from Turkey, Libya, Niger, Djibouti, Pakistan, Egypt, and Senegal. These meetings focused on the state of bilateral economic and trade relations and exploring new opportunities for trade and investment.
Oubid also met with the new Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Ismail Weld Cheikh Ahmed, to discuss cooperation relations between Tunisia and the Organization. They reviewed Tunisia's contribution to supporting the Organization's programs and activities, as well as the role of its institutions in supporting economic and social development in Tunisia.
The 42nd session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was chaired by Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz and attended by 25 ministers of trade, economy, and finance from member states. The session focused on developing effective trade finance tools to increase exports in member states.
Key points
- Tunisian Trade Minister Samir Oubid calls for innovative financing mechanisms to boost trade and exports among Islamic countries.
- Oubid reviews Tunisia's experience in trade finance and export development.
- The 42nd session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was held in Istanbul on November 2-3, 2026.
