ISLAMABAD, Nov 7: The three-day World Islamic Economic Forum concluded here on Tuesday with calls upon member countries to accelerate regional and sub-regional cooperation for establishing an Islamic Free Trade Area.

Forum chief executive officer Dato Dr Michael Yeoh announced the adoption of a declaration at the end of the Forum.

The declaration emphasised that the Forum could contribute to dialogue for the Muslim economic renaissance and called for efforts towards this objective. It described the private sector as the primary engine of growth.

The declaration reaffirmed support for the World Islamic Businesswomen Network (WIBN), its programmes and achievements as well as its plan to set up a training centre for women entrepreneurs.

The participants backed the WIEF Islamic Education Task Force.

The declaration acknowledged the signing of two MoUs calling for provision of nursing and health sciences education initiated by the WIBN task force and the enhancement of capacity building through collaboration in research on vocational and technical training programmes initiated by the World Islamic Education Task Force.

It supported the development of the WIEF Young Muslim Leaders Forum and resolved to support the call of the OIC secretary-general to the business community to engage in the implementation of the OIC’s 10-year plan.

The declaration called upon the governments of OIC countries to provide support to the Forum and promote Islamic banking, finance and insurance.

The third session of Forum will be held in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 7-9, 2007.—APP