On October 17, 2019, Director General of IOFS Mr. Yerlan Baidaulet held a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tajikistan to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Khairullo Ibodzoda. Director General presented the Ambassador upcoming activities and major projects of IOFS, particularly, the development of agricultural market of Islamic countries, establishment of Grain Fund and Islamic Food Processing Association (IFPA), and implementation of internationally recognized halal standards in Kazakhstan and CIS region.
Active IOFS membership would provide great opportunities for development of production, logistics, food trade, exchange of scientific information and humanitarian assistance. Deputy Director General of IOFS Dr. Hameed Opeloyeru in turn added that IOFSis open for joint initiatives, and as OIC structure it is able to attract its resources, such as the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development, Islamic Development Bank, and pleased to offer its partnership channels with international organizations such as FAO and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD). It is necessary to continue cooperation initiated at the First Forum of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Investments (agriculture & transport sectors) in Central Asian countries in Dushanbe in October 2014.
The Ambassador noted that Tajikistan had successfully resolved two important security issues of energy and communication, and the issue of food security is a priority task for his country's government today.
In Tajikistan, years of 2019-2021 were declared as years of rural development, tourism and folk crafts. Therefore, the State devotes particular attention to development of rural regions and infrastructure. For instance, the State is implementing a project "Improvement of water resources management in the Khatlon region", which is financed by the Islamic Development Bank.
Mr. Ibodzoda also noted that he has been personally studying Kazakhstani experience of agricultural management having visited all regions of Kazakhstan. Experience exchange, cooperation between agricultural producers, development of mutually beneficial trade are important tools to ensure food security in our countries.
The Tajik side expressed its wish for cooperation and active work, and expressed a particular interest in Analytical Database on Food Balance of IOFS Countries and prospects of development of Tajik food export (mainly, dried fruits and vegetables) to Member States of IOFS.
Following the meeting, parties exchanged souvenirs.
