On 12 March, representatives of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) led by Director-General Mr. Yerlan Baidaulet held a meeting with the Vice Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Nurbek Dairbekov.
The meeting was very informative and productive. Parties discussed joint programs, such as IFPA and its Action Plan 2020.
The Secretary-General of ICCIA Mr. Yousef Hasan Khalawi would visit Nur-Sultan at the special invitation of IOFS from April 21-22 of this year. Within the framework of the visit, IOFS plans to hold a seminar (see the dates above) in conjunction with ICCIA with the participation of Kazakhstani enterprises, unions, and associations of the food/industrial sector of Kazakhstan. The agenda has the following issues: development of mutual trade and halal industry in OIC countries, the attraction of Islamic finance/investments, and resolution of common agro-technological challenges.
The Vice Minister of Agriculture supported all the on-going programs of IOFS and noted he would meet the Secretary-General of ICCIA to develop trade and economic relations with the OIC countries within rural agriculture.
It is important to note that the parties discussed plans of conducting the 3rd General Assembly of IOFS in Istanbul, Turkey. They also covered successful country cases (such as Bangladesh and Indonesia) on the institutionalization of the state food security system.
For reference: The Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ICCIA) is the only OIC body that represents the private sector of 57 member countries, the mission of which is to strengthen cooperation between private companies in such areas as trade, commerce, information technology, insurance, banking, as well as the promotion of investment opportunities and the creation of joint ventures in Islamic countries. The ICCIA also includes national chambers/unions and federations for trade and industry of OIC member countries.
