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31. H.E. OKTAY emphasized that tourism is one of the most heavily affected
sectors from the pandemic and these effects would result in a decrease in global
tourism volume up to 80%. H.E. OKTAY also highlighted that this pandemic,
on the other hand, provides an opportunity for the member countries to revisit
their structural problems in tourism sector, such as, limited investments, poor
infrastructure, insufficient institutional and human capacity, low service quality
and low per capita on tourist expenditures. H.E. OKTAY expressed that
encouraging tourism entrepreneurship and building local entrepreneurship
capacity are among the efficient ways to address the present and future
challenges in tourism industry.
32. H.E. OKTAY underlined the role of trade cooperation for easing the negative
effects of the challenging periods during the global economic uncertainties. In
this context, H.E OKTAY stressed the importance of Trade Preferential System
among OIC Member Countries (TPS-OIC) and OIC Arbitration Center as
important instruments for increasing intra-OIC trade. H.E. OKTAY expressed
his hope for the operationalization of the TPS-OIC soon. He also stressed that
the operationalization of the OIC Arbitration Center would be an encouraging
case point for the other endeavours in various cooperation areas.
33. H.E. OKTAY, by referring to the Palestinian cause as the basis of the
establishment of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, underlined the
importance of having a common stance on the Palestine issue. In this context,
H.E. OKTAY expressed his appreciation for the launch of COMCEC Al-Quds
Program aiming to improve the socio-economic conditions in Palestine, in
particular Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
34. H.E. Fuat OKTAY concluded his statement by expressing his thanks to all
member country delegations, COMCEC Coordination Office, the General
Secretariat of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, the Institutions of the
Organization for Islamic Cooperation and other international organizations for
their active and valuable contributions.
(The text of the Closing Statement of H.E. Fuat OKTAY is attached as Annex III.)
35. All documents submitted to the 36th Session of COMCEC will be available on
the COMCEC web site ).
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