The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation is seeking to turn Malaysia’s industrial success into a blueprint for deeper economic integration among its nine member states, with officials calling for stronger investment, technology and manufacturing partnerships as the bloc works toward a $500 billion intra-D-8 trade target by 2030.
The organization brought together more than 70 government officials, business representatives and experts for a webinar titled “Leveraging Malaysia’s Industrial Experience for D-8 Cooperation,” organized with Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
D-8 Secretary-General Sohail Mahmood said Malaysia’s evolution into a diversified, export-oriented manufacturing economy offered valuable lessons for other members, particularly in industrial planning, investment promotion, technological development, exports, workforce skills and private-sector participation.
The nine D-8 economies have a combined gross domestic product of more than $5.19 trillion and merchandise exports of around $1.09 trillion. Mahmood said greater integration of their markets, production capabilities, technologies and investment opportunities would be critical to raising trade within the grouping to $500 billion by the end of the decade.
He identified technology and industrial transformation, investment and value-chain integration, and youth and skills development as key priorities as economies adapt to shifting global supply chains, the green transition and rapid technological change.
Mahmood called for joint industrial and investment projects in priority sectors, greater technology and knowledge transfers and stronger connections among companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, research institutions and investors.
He also urged members to make greater use of existing D-8 platforms for research, technology and business cooperation while advancing plans for a dedicated halal economy cooperation platform.
The webinar examined Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030, foreign direct investment strategies, export development and the halal industry.
Experts from MITI, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and Halal Development Corporation (HDC) outlined Malaysia’s approach to attracting higher-value investment, upgrading manufacturing, expanding international market access and developing an integrated halal ecosystem.
Discussions also focused on artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, digitalization, green technologies and stronger links between industry and research institutions, alongside measures to increase SME participation in regional and global value chains.
Mahmood said the D-8 should now move beyond policy discussions toward concrete partnerships, projects and measurable results.
The initiative forms part of the D-8 Decennial Roadmap 2020-2030, which seeks to capitalize on the complementary economic strengths of member states and build more integrated regional production and value chains.
