The total population of the eight countries is about 1 billion, or 60% of all Muslims, or nearly 13% of the world`s population, and covers an area of 7.6 million square kilometers, 5% of the world`s area. [3] In 2006, trade between D-8 member states amounted to $35 billion and was close to $68 billion in 2010. [4] Transactions between the eight developing countries accounted for 3.3% of world trade in 2010. [4] ISLAMABAD: Developing countries (D-8) agreed on Wednesday to implement the long-awaited preferential agreement (PTA) from 1 July 2016. D-8, an example of cooperation among countries on the path to development within the framework of the South-South dialogue, is an institution that aims at economic and trade cooperation among member States. The objectives of the D-8 are to improve the position of developing countries in the world economy, diversify their trade relations and create new trade opportunities for member States, improve participation in decision-making mechanisms at the international level and achieve a better standard of living. . . .