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of the political solidarity among Islamic countries. In this respect, H.E.
JABBAROV expressed his special thanks to Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan
and other Islamic countries for the support extended to Azerbaijan recently on
Karabagh issue.
20. H.E. Dr. Bandar M. H. HAJJAR, President of the Islamic Development Bank
(IDB) Group also delivered a statement at the Opening Session. H.E. Dr.
HAJJAR expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Member Countries for
their continuing support to the activities of the IDB Group. H.E. Dr. HAJJAR,
in his statement, mentioned the efforts of IsDB group in the fields of value
chains, digital platforms, and the supports provided for financing health sector
and SMEs for job creation during and post Pandemic environment.
. Rifat HİSARCIKLIOĞLU, President of the Union of Chambers and
Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and the Vice-President of the Islamic
Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ICCIA) also made a speech
at the Opening Session. Mr. HİSARCIKLIOĞLU stressed the importance of
solidarity and cooperation among the Islamic countries and expressed that one
of the best ways to boost the solidarity and cooperation is to increase trade
among the OIC member states. Mr. HİSARCIKLIOĞLU stated that TOBB, in
collaboration with ICCIA, is undertaking the final preparations for making the
OIC Arbitration Center operational soon, which would contribute to
enhancement of the intra-OIC trade and investments. Mr. HİSARCIKLIOĞLU
also stressed that visa issues continue to be a problem and invited the member
states to ease the visa procedures for business people.
Ministerial Working and Closing Session
22. The Ministerial Working and Closing Session of the Thirty-Sixth Session of the
COMCEC was held virtually on November 26th 2020, under the Chairmanship
of H.E. Fuat OKTAY, Vice President of the Republic of Turkey.
23. Following the adoption of the agenda, Mr. Bilal Khan PASHA, Head of
Delegation of Pakistan, as the Rapporteur of the Senior Officials Meeting
(SOM), presented the summary of the outcomes of the deliberations during the
SOM.
24. Afterwards, Mr. Fatih ÜNLÜ, Director General of COMCEC Coordination
Office, made a presentation on the new “COMCEC Covid Response Program”.
After briefly mentioning about the programs, projects and initiatives of the
COMCEC and the relevant OIC Institutions during the COVID-19 Pandemic,
Mr. ÜNLÜ presented the key aspects of the COMCEC COVID Response
Programme launched in the purpose of assisting member states in their efforts
to alleviate the negative effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
. Jeff POOLE, Senior Vice President of The World Travel and Tourism
Council, has delivered a keynote speech on the impact of COVID-19 on Travel