SHARJAH Dec 21: An international trade fair aimed at boosting trade between the 57 member-states of the OIC kicked off in Sharjah on Saturday.

The OIC’s ninth trade fair, held for the first time in the Gulf, was inaugurated by Sharjah’s Governor Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed al-Qassimi.

“OIC countries have undertaken to strengthen their bilateral (trade) exchanges that account currently for only 11pc” of their total foreign trade, Emirati Economic and Trade Minister Fahem bin Sultan al-Qassimi said in a speech at the opening of the fair.

OIC Secretary General Abdel Wahid Belkeziz for his part urged “representatives of the private sector, the true movers of the economies of member states, to work with all means to strengthen trade between Islamic countries, to face the challenges represented by the big international economic blocs.”

Islamic organizations from France, South Africa and Thailand — non-members of the OIC — are also taking part in the fair, which lasts until Thursday in the 16,000 square meter exposition centre of this port city.—AFP