Zahid plans talks on D-8 trade target of more than US$500 billion
Malaysia will also consider Turkiye’s request for more imports to address a bilateral trade imbalance that favours Malaysia.
Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi plans to consult the prime minister and foreign minister on the D-8 grouping’s goal of lifting trade between its members above US$500 billion by 2030, before taking the issue to the cabinet.
Speaking to reporters in Istanbul after a four-day working visit for the 2026 TRT World Forum, Zahid said he had examined the target in detail with D-8 secretary-general Sohail Mahmood. He said proactive measures could help achieve it.
Zahid said he would raise the matter with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan. He also outlined a separate plan to consult Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani about Turkiye’s concerns over its trade imbalance with Malaysia.
According to Zahid, both countries recognised that Malaysia benefited from a surplus in their bilateral trade. Turkiye had asked Malaysia to consider buying more Turkish goods, and he would discuss how best to respond with Johari.
The Developing Eight Organisation for Economic Cooperation includes Malaysia, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkiye. Azerbaijan became a member in 2025. The organisation was established on June 15, 1997, under the Istanbul Declaration.
