The 11th Islamic Summit held in Dakar, Senegal underscored the need for the prompt implementation of the action plan of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) to enhance economic and trade cooperation among member countries and urged the governments of all Islamic countries to iron out the procedures relevant to activation of their mechanisms. The final communique on Saturday backed the plans of the chamber - the sole representative of the private sector in the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference - and endorsed the endeavors of Sheikh Saleh Kamel, chairman of ICCI. The communique also called on member countries to provide their support to ICCI and urged the chambers of commerce and industry in member countries to take part actively in the ICCI projects. The resolutions of the economic committee urged the business sector in all countries to participate in proposed companies, including the Islamic International Company for Identification of Investment Opportunities and Promotion of Inter-Trade, the Business Union, Al-Emar Bank, the Infrastructure Development Company, the Labor Employment and Recruitment Company, and the Company for the Modernization of Inter-Islamic Tourism, and other companies that promote trade exchange among Islamic countries. The communique also called for the establishment of branches to facilitate the incorporation of these companies. The summit also welcomed the International Zakat Authority and the Public International Endowments Organization and called on member countries to authorize these two institutions to open national branches as well as in the cities and to adopt the steps taken by the ICCI to grant an open visa to members of the business union affiliated to the OIC. Member countries were urged to sign the relevant agreement,the communique added. The economic committee appreciated the part played by affiliated institutions in formulating and implementing the action plan aimed at strengthening trade cooperation among member countries, notably the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Organization of the Islamic Ship Owners' Union, and the implementation of the OIC 10-year action plan. The summit commended Malaysia which hosted the International Conference on Zakat held in Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 28, 2006. __
