The Twenty-fifth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session for a Better Future for the Peoples of the Islamic Ummah) held in Doha, State of Qatar, from 17 to 19 Dhul Quida 1418H (15-17 March 1998),

Recalling Resolution No. 32/8-E (IS) of the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference,Resolution No. 21/7-E(IS) of the Seventh Session of the Islamic Summit Conference and Resolution No. 29/24-E of the Twenty-fourth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers;

Taking cognizance of the activities being undertaken by the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI); Islamic Shipowners Association (ISA) and the International Association of Islamic Banks (IAIB);

Expressing its appreciation for the role played by the affiliated institutions in the implementation of the Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation Among Member States;

Also expressing appreciation for the role played by the affiliated institutions in the elaboration of the new strategy of the COMCEC Plan of Action to Strengthen Economic and Commercial Cooperation Among Member States;

Confirming the important role that Private Sector has to play in the development of Member States and promotion of Intra-Islamic Cooperation;

Appreciating the role played by these three institutions in their respective fields of action;

Having taken cognizance of the recommendations of the Thirteenth Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC);

Having taken note of the recommendations of the Twenty-first Session of the Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs;

Having taken note of the report of the Secretary General;

1. Notes with appreciation the important role which the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Islamic Shipowners Association and the International Association of Islamic Banks are playing in their respective fields.

2. Expresses thanks and appreciation to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Export Promotion Bureau, Board of Investment and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry for hosting the Fourth Private Sector Meeting, in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which was held from 27-29 October 1997 in Karachi, Pakistan.

3. Takes note with appreciation of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Fourth Private Sector Meeting.

4. Congratulates the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) for its important initiative aimed at maintaining contacts with businessmen and promoting socioeconomic development in Member States.

5. Appeals to the government of Member States to encourage their Federations of Chambers of Commerce and Industry to develop a framework of cooperation with the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and contribute to its programs to enhance trade and investment among Member States.

6. Appreciates the offer of the Republic of Lebanon and UAE to host the Fifth and Seventh Private Sector Meetings in 1998 and the year 2000 respectively.

7. Expresses thanks to the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for extending consistant support to the Shipowners Association, giving donations and hosting its Headquarters.

8. Expresses its thanks and appreciation to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt for hosting the 7th and 8th Session of the Executive Council and General Assembly of the Islamic Shipowners Association respectively and for endorsing the establishment of the Islamic Shipping Comapny and the Cooperative Information System.

9. Also commends the initiative of the Islamic Shipowners Association for establishing the Islamic Shipping Company and a Cooperative Information System.

10. Urges the Member States which have not done so yet, to sign the Statute of the Islamic Shipowners Association.

11. Appeals to Member States to continue to extend their support and assistance to the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Islamic Shipowners Association, and the International Association of Islamic Banks.

12 Invites Member States and the Private Sector, the shipping companies and private individuals in the Islamic countries to contribute to the capital of the Islamic Shipping Company and to encourage the treatment of the company's ships on equal footing with national ships at the Member States' seaports.

13.. Requests the Secretary General to submit a recommendation threreon to the Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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