Representative of IOFS attends international Workshop on Strategic Commodities in Baku, Azerbaijan

Representative of IOFS attends international Workshop on Strategic Commodities in Baku, Azerbaijan
04 October 2019
On October 3, the Workshop on Strategic Commodities (Tomatoes and Hazelnuts) was launched in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan. Representatives of private sector, government agencies, sectoral SMEs, big producers, as well as relevant businesses participated at the event for opinion and practice exchange.
Mr. Vugar Zeynalov, Vice-President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs Organizations of Azerbaijan in his welcoming speech noted the importance of cooperation among entrepreneurs preceded by broad discussions of hindrances in businesses.
Mr. Fuad Humbatov, Deputy Secretary General of ASK (Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs’ Confederation) briefly discussed the ASK establishment and underlined that the ASK is a social partner of the government that aims to create equal conditions for businesses andSMEs.
IsDB representative Mr. Selcuk Dag spoke about IsDB mission to improve lives through promotion of social and economic development in Member Countries and Muslim communities worldwide.
Mr. Riazuddin, a representative of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (ICCIA) presented ICCIA as a business and investmentengine that has been undertaking various initiatives in trade, commerce, agriculture, information technology, promotion of investment opportunitiesand joint ventures in Member countries. In addition, it pursues programmes on capacitybuilding, poverty alleviation, impovement of marketing, management skills, value-addition,agribusiness, gender development, economic empowerment of women, promotion & developmentof Small & Medium Enterprises, utilization of microfinance, development of Entrepreneurship,particularly among youth, tourism and promotion of a concept of “halal business”.
The Islamic Organisation for Food Security was represented by its Country Manager on Asia and Africa Mrs. Rufiya Ospanova. In her welcoming remarks she noted that food security is one of the main goals of states’ agrarian and economic policy. It forms a vector of movement of any national food system to an ideal state. The pursuit of food security is an ongoing process.
It was also noted that, a priority aspect of food security is addressing challenges in OIC agricultural sector in conjunction with member states and partners through comprehensive solutions in terms of supply and demand, logistics, and scientific and technological advancement.
Mechanisms that could help member states attain food security in close cooperation with other members within the organization should be analysed and developed.
To ensure food balance in member states each country must regularly provide the up-to-date statistical data.
After the opening session all participants engaged in discussions that covered a broad range of issues in production, post-harvest losses, storage conditions, etc.