ISLAMABAD: A four-day meeting of the Developing-8 (D-8) countries begins on Monday, DawnNews reported.

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf inaugurated the four-day D-8 exhibition.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, PM Ashraf said that D-8 countries need to promote trade and the level of access to each others market should be equal.

“Pakistan believes in trade not in aid,” said the prime minister.

The prime minister said that the D-8 convention took significant measure to promote bilateral trade and this exhibition will also play an important role in enhancing the bilateral trade.

According to Raja Pervez Ashraf, the D-8 countries have the potential to boost the industrial sector.

Furthermore, he added D-8 countries should come forward towards sustainable commercial cooperation for peace and development in the region.

The event will be attended by leaders and representatives from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria and Turkey. It will project Pakistan as a business destination and underscore the linkage of democracy with peace and development.

Presidents Mohamed Morsi of Egypt, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of Nigeria and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey will attend the summit. Malaysia is likely to be represented by its deputy prime minister and Bangladesh by its foreign minister.