IRAN PROPOSES SOLIDARITY FUND ON FOOD SECURITY

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Iran has proposed that governments of the
Developing Eight (D8) countries work hand-in-hand in creating a D8 Solidarity
Fund on Food Security for the grouping.

Iran, one of the D8 member countries, has also proposed that the D8
governments jointly work on creating a D8 food self-sufficiency programme.

In making the list of proposals to deal with food security issues here
today, Iranian Chamber of Commerce and Mines (ICCM) vice-president for
international affairs Dr Mehdi Fakheri has also proposed that D8 member
countries adopt common positions in relation to agricultural negotiations under
the Doha Round.

Included in the proposals for the D8 governments to consider were
integrating the commodities into agricultural development strategies and
supporting women's role in agricultural production. The prposals were read out
at the Business Leaders Meeting in conjunction with the D8 Ministers Meeting on
Food Security conference

As for D8 chambers of commerce, Fakheri said that they should identify D8
comparative advantages in agriculture and coordinate production plans on
fertilizers, animal feed and seeds.

They should also undertake joint market research projects and take
advantage of the existing expertise in D8 countries.

Fakheri said strong efforts by the D8 countries were crucial because the
food security issue had always been classified as an important subject in
development policies and thus required full attention of both governments and
chambers.

-- BERNAMA