By NNN-SPA,
Jeddah : Saudi Minister of Finance Dr Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf has signed a protocol on preferential tariff scheme pertaining to preferential trade system (PRETAS) among member states of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in line with the 10-year action programme adopted by the third extraordinary Islamic Summit in Mecca in 2006.
The protocol, which is expected to enter into force early 2009, aims at promoting inter-regional trade among OIC member countries from a total gross trade of 14 per cent in 2005 to 20 per cent by 2015, through reductions on custom tariffs among member states on a range of high-custom-fee commodities from 10 per cent divided into four annual payments for developing countries and six payments for the least developed.
The protocol also aims at removing tariff and non-tariff barriers or any administrative measures that might impede the flow of trade between Islamic countries.