The 4^th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Commerce/Foreign Trade was held on July 11-13, 2011 in Kabul, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Ministers and the Heads of Delegation discussed the ongoing and future activities and proposed measures on the promotion of trade among ECO Member States. Among many salient issues, the member states deliberated on the issues such as developing a Multi-Dimensional Regional Trade and Investment Strategy, establishing a Free Trade Area in the region, accelerating implementation of ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA), developing a Trade Facilitation Agreement (ETFA), organizing Joint Trade Promotional Activities, improving the trade and investment network, etc. in order to promote regional trade cooperation.

Upon the invitation of the ECO Secretariat, the delegation of the Bank headed by Dr. Yaşar Akgün (Acting President) has participated to the said meeting. Dr. Yaşar Akgün informed the Ministers and the participants about the initiatives and facilities of the Bank with regard to the trade and investment. Particulary, it has been noted that the total amount disbursed by the Bank through its trade finance programme so far amounted to US$ 112 million. This amount is expected to increase in coming months as the Bank is entering into new agreements and introducing mechanism to cater the trade finance needs in the ECO region.  The meeting took note with appreciation of the presentation made by the Bank and appreciated the efforts made by the Bank so far in connection with mobilization, promotion and provision of financial resources to enhance trade and investment activities in the region. On the other hand, the meeting also called upon the ECO Member States to join the Bank and support its initiatives to further strengthen its role in the ECO region.