The Director-General of IOFS H.E. Yerlan Baidaulet had several working meetings in Kyrgyzstan on June 15-16. The first day saw him meet with Mr. Marat Sharshekeyev, the Chairman of the Presidium of Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan, who expressed particular interest in the IOFS programs that promote agro-food trade and investments, such as the Islamic Food Processing Association (IFPA) and National Food Sectors Development in cooperation with State Investment Agencies. Mr Sharshekeyev supported the accession of Kyrgyzstan to IOFS, as it would highly benefit the Kyrgyz agricultural industry.
Onwards, Mr. Baidaulet spoke to Kyrgyz politician Myktybek Arstanbek, the head of Halal Industry Development Committee about his engagement in the «Food Safety and Halal Food Development» program. The IOFS Program Manager Shahlo Atabaeva was appointed a focal point for further communication and possibly, conclusion of Memorandum of Understanding. Further, Mr Arstanbek assured the committee would take part in the upcoming IOFS event «Safe and Halal Food — from Gene to Fork: views of experts».
The Director-General of IOFS had his next appointment with the Vice Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Regional Development, H. E. Azamat Mukashev. He thanked the Kyrgyz side for active participation in the IOFS events such as “The way to safe and Halal food in OIC: one step forward”, meeting of Centre of Excellence for Wheat of Asia Group II, the “OIC Food SecurityReserves” and the Third General Assembly. He expressed hope that Kyrgyzstan would take part in the next General Assembly as well and reminded of the Resolutions of OIC CFM that call for signing the IOFS Statute. The Kyrgyz experts and scientists were invited to partake in the forthcoming expert sessions «Safe and Halal Food — from Gene to Fork: views of experts» and online training on genetic resources in OIC countries jointly organized with COMSTECH.
The same day Mr. Yerlan Baidaulet was acquainted with Mrs Gulnaz Kaseeva, the president of “AgroLead” holding, a leading agricultural consulting company that aims to improve the economic conditions of agri-business workers in Central Asia through educational, advisory, research and marketing services. She kindly provided a focal point for cooperation within IFPA.
The day was concluded with the meeting Mr Aibek Artykbayev, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyz Republic, who oversees cooperation with international organizations, the OIC Secretariat and the accession of Kyrgyz Republic to IOFS.
On the sidelines of the working visit, Mr. Yerlan Baidaulet met H.E. Rapil Zhoshybayev, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan to discuss areas of cooperation between IOFS and the Embassy.
