The Developing Eight (D-8) Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Malaysia-based Al-Hidayah Group are exploring initiatives to strengthen digital economic cooperation, expand cross-border trade and improve financial inclusion across D-8 member countries.
The discussions took place during a meeting between D-8 Secretary-General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood and an Al-Hidayah Group delegation at the organisation’s secretariat in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Oct 15, 2026.
The Malaysian delegation was led by Al-Hidayah Group chairman and former D-8 Secretary-General Dato’ Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari.
The meeting reviewed progress under a Memorandum of Cooperation signed between the D-8 Secretariat and Al-Hidayah Group in July 2023, focusing on opportunities to accelerate trade, investment and sustainable economic development.
During the meeting, Al-Hidayah Group presented its proposed economic model, centred on an integrated digital platform designed to facilitate cross-border business activities among D-8 member states.
The initiative aims to improve market access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), strengthen financial inclusion and mobilise financial resources for productive economic activities.
The group said the proposed platform could help businesses access new markets, facilitate investment opportunities and promote greater participation in the regional digital economy.
Upon successful implementation, the model could contribute to economic growth, generate new business opportunities and support higher gross domestic product (GDP) across participating economies.
Al-Hidayah Group also highlighted the initiative’s potential contribution to poverty reduction and sustainable development.
However, the proposal remains subject to further consultations, and no implementation timeline or investment commitments were announced.
Mahmood acknowledged Al-Hidayah Group’s efforts and emphasised the importance of developing practical, commercially viable and inclusive initiatives aligned with the D-8’s broader economic cooperation agenda.
He highlighted the need to encourage private-sector participation while advancing digital transformation and economic integration among member states.
Both parties agreed to continue engaging relevant institutions and stakeholders to identify opportunities for progressing the proposals.
Any future initiatives would need to align with the development priorities and regulatory frameworks of the respective D-8 countries.
The proposed collaboration could create additional opportunities for Malaysian businesses, particularly SMEs seeking to expand their participation in international trade and digital commerce.
Al-Hidayah Group, which operates in property development, asset management and digital economic initiatives, has been working with the D-8 Secretariat since 2023 to explore mechanisms supporting trade, investment and financial inclusion.
The D-8 comprises Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Türkiye and Azerbaijan, providing a platform for economic cooperation among its member countries.
The latest engagement reflects continued efforts to translate the existing cooperation agreement into initiatives that could strengthen business connectivity and support more inclusive economic growth.
Both sides indicated that further consultations would be necessary before the proposed digital economic model could move towards implementation.