Improving Agricultural Market Performance:
Creation and Development of Market Institutions
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Many examples from the case studies may serve as models for similar initiatives in other OIC
Member Countries to address (some of) these bottlenecks, while other bottlenecks may be
addressed through OIC collaboration and initiatives. The OIC, based on some of the examples
and recommendations in this study, could play an important role in disseminating some of this
information and providing support in their implementation in new locations. Examples
include:
 In general, the harmonization of standards may be more pressing for certain OIC
Member Countries compared to other Member Countries. The Standards and
Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries (SMIIC) located in Istanbul is a good
starting point for harmonization of standards among the OIC Member Countries.
Widening such collaboration could, in addition to improving and standardizing
certification of foodstuffs, also help connect suppliers with markets.
 Further cooperation on agricultural research, building on existing connections with
international research organizations, could help diffuse seed varieties and agricultural
techniques among OIC countries with similar climate conditions and natural resource
endowments. COMCEC could play a role in facilitating these exchanges and
collaborations.
 Tunisia has set up free trade zones on the borders with Algeria and Libya, where
farmers can sell their agricultural products directly to foreign buyers without the
payment of duties. This could serve as a model for similar cooperation among other
OIC Member Countries.
 Within the COMESA free trade area, which includes among its members Egypt, Sudan,
and Uganda, standards for seeds have been harmonized, facilitating cross-border trade
and improving smallholders’ access to high-quality seeds.
 As emerged from previous sections, Turkey has a strong proposition for collaboration
on areas such as farmer registry, integrated administration and control systems,
human capacity development of market institutions, and standardization.