Connect with us
Anglostratits

Business

Key Outcomes from Islamic Development Bank’s (IsDB) 14th Private Sector Forum in Azerbaijan 2026

Published

on

The Islamic Development Bank Group’s Private Sector Forum witnessed a wide turnout, with more than 1400 participants from 60 countries

The 14th edition of the Private Sector Forum reaffirmed the vital role of the private sector in fostering economic growth

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 20, 2026/APO Group/ –The Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDBG) (www.IsDB.org) affiliated institutions organized the 14th Private Sector Forum from June 16 to 19, 2026, at Baku Convention Center in Baku (Republic of Azerbaijan). The forum was convened on the sidelines of the Group’s annual meetings, under the high patronage of His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

 

The Islamic Development Bank Group’s Private Sector Forum witnessed a wide turnout, with more than 1400 participants from 60 countries. It featured active participation from the local, regional, and international private sectors. The program included 17 events and panel discussions, with the involvement of more than 70 speakers and 40 exhibitors.

For the fourth consecutive year, the forum presented the “Private Sector Award” to outstanding companies and financial institutions in recognition of their contributions to economic development, trade facilitation, investment, and risk management.

Additionally, the forum saw the signing of 32 agreements and memoranda of understanding, amounting to over $.4.7 billion. A startup competition was also held, with participation from more than 220 startups and business incubators. More than 250 bilateral meetings (B2B and B2G) were conducted to enhance trade, investment, and partnership relations among member countries.

The forum showcased the IsDB Group’s activities and initiatives aimed at empowering both public and private sectors in member countries, particularly in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The discussions focused on prevailing opportunities and challenges facing the business sector and highlighted the Group’s suite of financing instruments, including lines of financing, private sector financing, trade development support, investment insurance, and export credit facilities, among others.

The forum agenda featured a series of dialogue sessions and workshops addressing key economic themes and development projects. Participants also attended presentations on trade and investment opportunities.

The forum attracted high-level participation from Azerbaijan government officials, presidents and CEOs of local, regional, and international private sector companies, investors, businessmen, chambers of commerce and industry, trade and investment promotion bodies, and regional and international financial and development institutions.

In his opening remarks, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Jasser, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group, welcomed all participants to the forum. He stated: “At the Islamic Development Bank Group, we firmly believe that the private sector is not a supporting actor in development, it is the lead actor. Our role is clear: to remove obstacles, reduce risks, and open doors. We will continue to stand as a committed partner, mobilizing finance, mitigating risk, and enabling trade and investment that drive inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth”

Dr. Khaled Yousef Khalafallah, CEO of the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) and Acting CEO of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), stated that “the Private Sector Forum witnessed a distinguished cohort of partners from both public and private sectors. Sustainability and development constitute the core focus of our mission, as we strive to unify the efforts of our private sector partners and other financing agencies to bridge the sustainable financing gap, provide co-financing opportunities, and develop innovative solutions to address the challenges of sustainable development.

He added, “Since its inception, ICIEC has provided cumulative insurance coverage exceeding USD 139 billion, including USD 108 billion to support trade flows and USD 31 billion to facilitate investment. Leveraging a robust global reinsurance network, the Corporation has mobilized significant cumulative reinsurance capacity from the private reinsurance market. Through transactions across vital sectors including agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and healthcare, ICIEC continues to drive meaningful development impact across its Member States. Regarding the ICD, Dr. Khalid stated “Since its inception in 1999, the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) has played a pivotal role in fostering development, empowering businesses, promoting entrepreneurship, and supporting sustainable economic growth. Its diversified investments have had a tangible impact on communities by enabling transformative projects, facilitating partnerships, and building capacity. Since inception, the corporation has achieved USD7.1 billion in approvals and over USD 5.6 billion in disbursements. ICD interventions cover various sectors, including finance, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, and energy, and it has investment operations in its member countries, underscoring the broad geographic and sectoral reach of ICD operations.”

On his part, Eng. Adeeb Al-Aama, CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), stated, “The 14th edition of the Private Sector Forum reaffirmed the vital role of the private sector in fostering economic growth, generating employment, and reducing poverty in member countries. The active participation of the business investors greatly enriched discussions and strengthened collaborative efforts to promote economic resilience and business dynamism.

He added, “Since its launch in 2008, ITFC has extended over $96 billion USD in financing to OIC member countries, becoming the leading provider of trade solutions in the region. Of this, $20 billion USD was allocated to enhance SMEs competitiveness – combining financial support, technical assistance, and capacity building efforts to help these enterprises access regional and international markets.”

For more information, please visit the event website (www.IsDBG-PSF.org).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB Group).

 

Business

Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

Published

on

The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 

Continue Reading

Business

Beyond Stabroek: Guyana’s Offshore Basin Attracts New Wave of Exploration Investment

Published

on

Etu Energias

As ExxonMobil advances appraisal activity in Stabroek and new operators target frontier acreage, Guyana is attracting global capital and building a diversified offshore portfolio designed to sustain long-term growth

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers is entering a new phase, with a growing network of IOCs expanding exploration activity across the country’s offshore basin. Beyond the landmark discoveries that first put Guyana on the global energy map, new drilling campaigns and licensing partnerships are creating a broader exploration ecosystem designed to support long-term production growth.

At the center of this momentum is ExxonMobil’s continued exploration and appraisal activity in the prolific Stabroek Block. The company has submitted a proposal for a 35-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, expected to run from 2028 through 2033, pending regulatory approval. The program would build on more than 30 commercial discoveries already made in the block, with drilling activity focused on evaluating new prospects and appraising existing discoveries to support future development opportunities.

Exploration activity is also extending into Guyana’s frontier acreage, with ExxonMobil advancing drilling operations at the deepwater Canje Block. The company has deployed the Noble Stena Carron drillship for exploration activity, highlighting continued industry interest in evaluating Guyana’s underexplored offshore potential beyond the established Stabroek Block.

Guyana’s strong exploration outlook comes as the country’s economy continues to benefit from rapid oil sector expansion, with hydrocarbons expected to remain a key driver of exports, government revenues and economic growth. As production scales up, attracting additional investment across exploration, services and infrastructure will be critical to supporting the next phase of development.

That momentum is being reinforced through partnerships established under Guyana’s 2023 offshore licensing round. A consortium comprising TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas is advancing exploration activities in Block S4 under a five-year production sharing agreement signed with the government in late 2025. The award represents one of the first major outcomes of the licensing round and demonstrates continued international confidence in Guyana’s offshore resource potential.

Beyond the largest operators, a diverse group of companies is also expanding activity across Guyana’s offshore basin. Eco Atlantic is advancing exploration at the Orinduik Block; CGX Energy and Frontera Energy are progressing work in the Corentyne Block; Occidental is evaluating opportunities in the Roraima Block; while Ratio Guyana and Cataleya Energy hold interests in the Kaieteur Block. Together, these partnerships are broadening Guyana’s exploration landscape, increasing competition for acreage and creating opportunities for future discoveries.

As Guyana transitions from an emerging producer to a global energy hub, the next challenge will be converting exploration success into sustainable investment, local value creation and regional growth. These opportunities will be explored at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments, IOCs, investors and technology providers, the event will examine how Guyana’s expanding partnerships can accelerate offshore development, strengthen regional energy cooperation and attract the capital needed to support the Caribbean’s evolving energy landscape.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Continue Reading

Business

Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

Published

on

Energy

The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Continue Reading

Trending