The second day of the official visit of Director General to Tunisia

The second day of the official visit of Director General to Tunisia
29 July 2021

The second day of the official visit of Mr. Yerlan A. Baidaulet, the Director General of IOFS to Tunisia began with a meeting with Mr. Mohamed Boussaïd, the Minister of Trade and Export Development, who is also the acting Minister of Industry, Energy and Mines of Tunisia. The Minister noted the systemic importance of including the sectors of trade and agro-industry in food security issues. After listening to the Director General of the IOFS, he expressed his willingness to cooperate and support the organization's initiatives such as the international Islamic Food Industry Association and the development of national food sectors. On the meeting was also attended a working group of representatives from the National Standards Center (INNORPI), National Accreditation Council (TUNAC). The INNORPI represents Tunisia in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Codex Alimentarius of FAO/WHO, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organization (AIDMO), the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO), the European Patent Office (EPO), and the Institute of Standards and Metrology for Islamic Countries (SMIIC).

The INNORPI, on behalf of Tunisia, voiced the preliminary idea of establishing an Islamic Center for Organic and Halal Promotion (ICOHP), headquartered in Tunisia, under the auspices of the IOFS. The National Center proposed to put forward the project to the General Assembly of IOFS by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

Also on this day there was a meeting with Mr. Othman Jerandi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad. Mr. Yerlan A. Baidaulet, the Director General expressed his gratitude to the Tunisian government for Tunisia's accession to the Organization and expressed his hope for the early ratification of the IOFS Charter in order to obtain full membership. He suggested that the IOFS platform be used to enhance both trade and production opportunities for the country. The Minister noted that it was Tunisia's interest in the activities and prospects of the IOFS that motivated it to join the Organization, and Tunisia will actively cooperate and take advantage of its opportunities in the future.

The Minister noted that the pandemic requires active engagement and immediate action. The parties agreed that they would actively pursue mutual consultations and dialogue on the full range of diplomatic support for the IOFS.

Then the Director General of IOFS visited the production base (nursery) for the development of varieties, cultivation and further commercialization of fruit and olive trees. This is a joint project of the two leading companies Sadira and Agromillora Mediterranée. The companies have expressed an interest in joining to the IOFS subsidiary - International IFPA. The successful experience of complete fruit and olive production from breeding new varieties to supplying finished products to more than 29 markets could be implemented in other OIC countries on mutually beneficial terms.

The visit ended with a bilateral meeting with Mr. Samir Majoul, the President of the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA). The UTICA represents about 150.000 private companies from all sectors of activity. The main activity of the Union is to promote and activate the private sector, while the Union represents the companies in public bodies. The UTICA provides its members with information and legal support, attracts investment and innovation, develops strategies and programs. Mr. Yerlan Baidaulet, the Director General, proposed to expand the capacity of the Union and thereby all its members by establishing a partnership with IFPA.

At the end of the visit, the parties noted the need for further strengthening of ties and mutually beneficial partnership.