The share of the D-8 in global trade can be enhanced in one of two ways. First to enhance trade with each other, through lower tariffs on their major export items to each other which would increase the individual member countries' exports as well as imports. However, given the geographical distances between some of these countries it is doubtful if lower tariffs would be sufficient inducement to enhance trade. For example, Pakistani goods may not be attractive to Nigeria even if tariffs are reduced compared to procuring the same products from a neighbouring country and vice versa. However, while countries in geographical proximity with each other say Iran and Pakistan would be more likely to benefit from enhanced trade, however, in this instance other impediments to trade have been witnessed in recent years including the US sanctions on Iran and its pressure on its allies to restrain from enhancing trade ties with Iran as well as the slow pace of decision making in Iran, which accounts for the continued delay by the Iranian government to import Pakistani wheat.
Be that as it may, the eight countries are not at the same level of economic development which complicates enhancing trade ties through easing of tariffs and/or facilitating movement of tradeable goods and services and people. The difference in total Gross Domestic Product is an indication of the differences in the D-8 countries economic strengths. Turkey has the highest GDP of 1.28 trillion (2011), followed by Indonesia's one trillion, Iran's 999 billion, Egypt's 525 billion, Pakistan's 510 billion in purchasing power parity in 2012, Malaysia's 453 billion, Nigeria's 450 billion, and Bangladesh's 282.5 billion dollars. With respect to per capita GDP Pakistan performance was the poorest: Malaysia had the highest per capita GDP of 15,800 dollars, followed by Turkey's 10,498 dollars, Egypt's 6200, Iran's 6,419 dollars, Indonesia's 4,700 dollars, Nigeria's 2500 dollars, Bangladesh's 1700 dollars and Pakistan's 1378 dollars. In effect Pakistan is at the lowest rung and while our GDP is higher than Bangladesh's the distribution of wealth is more skewed in this country. This data suggests that it would be a challenge to form an effective trade bloc between the eight countries and hence any increase in trade would by necessity focus on individual trade goods and services based on the different strengths and weaknesses of the economies of the D-8.