Turkish VP calls for stronger economic integration among OIC nations

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz called for deeper economic cooperation among Islamic countries, saying they need stronger production partnerships, investment cooperation, logistics, connectivity, and integration to increase their share of global trade. “We need to increase the share Islamic countries receive from the world economy and trade. This will happen not only through efforts we make individually, but also through what we do together,” Yılmaz said at a gala dinner hosted by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) in Ankara.

Trade potential and Türkiye’s role

Yılmaz noted that the OIC, with 57 members, accounts for nearly one‑fifth of the world’s population but only 10‑11% of global goods trade. “This picture needs to change,” he said. Türkiye’s economy grew from $238 billion in 2002 to over $1.6 trillion in 2025, with goods and services exports reaching $396 billion last year. Türkiye’s trade volume with OIC members reached $118 billion, while OIC countries have invested $27.3 billion in Türkiye since 2003. Yılmaz welcomed a new MoU between TOBB and the Federation of Saudi Chambers.

COMCEC and future targets

Yılmaz pointed to the work of COMCEC, chaired by President Erdoğan, which has held 155 technical meetings and supported 209 projects. He noted that the intra‑OIC trade target of 25% has not been met, adding: “Even this 25% is low. We need to target much more.” He also underlined the importance of the OIC Arbitration Center for dispute resolution and called for a free trade area among Islamic countries. He welcomed the MoU between TOBB and the Federation of Saudi Chambers, reflecting improving Türkiye‑Saudi relations.