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IsDB Group Private Sector Institutions organize the 10th edition of the Private Sector Forum

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4 years ago

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IsDB-Group

The Forum’s sessions included discussions on the activities, roles, and support provided to member countries

SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt, June 6, 2022/APO Group/ — 

The private sector institutions affiliated with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group (www.IsDB.org) organized: “The Private Sector Forum” in its tenth edition, during the period from 2-4 June 2022, at the main conference hall in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The Forum occurred on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the Bank’s Board of Governors, under the theme: “Beyond Recovery: Resilience and Sustainability”.

It is worth noting that the Forum highlighted the activities of the Bank Group, in addition to its services and initiatives in the member countries, including the Arab Republic of Egypt. It also explored the investment and business opportunities and challenges facing the business sector in the member countries, as well as the available financing tools, such as Lines of finance, trade financing and development, and investment insurance, and finally export credit.  

Moreover, this event, with its list of activities, presented various economic topics and development projects. The Forum’s program included holding bilateral meetings (B2B and B2G) with the aim of networking, forming partnerships, establishing business relations, exchanging experiences, and presenting success stories.

This Forum witnessed the presence and participation of senior government officials, presidents and CEOs of local, regional, and international private sector companies, along with investors, businessmen, chambers of commerce and industry, trade, and investment promotion agencies, as well as regional and international development financial institutions.

The Forum’s sessions included discussions on the activities, roles, and support provided to member countries. The Forum also addressed issues related to private sector development and trade finance, and the challenges of investment insurance and export credit, with the aim of further encouraging economic and social development among member countries.

During the sessions, the main challenges that hinder the business community and the concerned trade and investment bodies in the Arab region and other member countries were discussed by fostering an environment that allows the parties to take advantage of the available opportunities.

His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, President of the IsDB Group, said: “The Private Sector Forum of the Islamic Development Bank Group in its tenth edition, was held this year in a new form over three consecutive days instead of one day, like what used to happen in the past. The Forum has achieved its objectives and desired outcome during its economic, investment, and business activities and seminars, with the aim of integrating the public and private sectors, which both constitute a basic pillar for economic and social development in our member countries. The public sector is responsible for developing the infrastructure and legislation to create an attractive business climate for the private sector, to be able to develop the production and create job opportunities.”

Creating an enabling environment and putting in place appropriate safeguards that need to accompany increased private sector engagement in often sensitive sectors is crucial

His Excellency thanked the attendees for participating in the Forum, which included 20 activities, more than 100 speakers, 55 exhibitors, and 2000 participants representing 70 countries. It also witnessed the signing of more than 50 agreements.

During her speech, Dr. Hala El Saeed, Minister of Planning and Economic Development of the Arab Republic of Egypt, expressed her pride in hosting the IsDB’s Annual Meetings by her country for the first time in 30 years, stressing that the goal of the “Private Sector Forum” is to support all development efforts of the private sector in member countries.

El Saeed pointed to the challenges that the world faces, resulting from various global turbulences, pointing to COVID-19’s crisis, then the repercussions of the geopolitical crisis and the Russian-Ukrainian war that occurred before the full recovery from the aforementioned pandemic, stressing that all of these repercussions greatly affect all countries of the world, which is the matter that requires cooperation to make more room for the private sector to participate in the development efforts.

In his opening speech, Mr. Ousama Kaissi, CEO of the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), stated: “The Private Sector Forum is an important platform for the Islamic Development Bank Group to engage with various stakeholders in different aspects. The pandemic and the Ukraine war have exposed dangerous fault lines, including supply chain disruptions, failed healthcare systems, resource scarcity, and the rising cost of living that has disproportionately affected millions, especially in low-income countries.”

He added: “We cannot overemphasize the importance of political risk insurance and credit enhancement, which have a proven track record of effectively reducing risk, thereby stimulating private investment in emerging markets through capital efficient bonds. The pressure on national budgets has severely limited the ability of governments to mobilize funds, and the need for the private sector’s capital is greater than ever, as our engagement with this sector must be realigned to include ever-changing development priorities so that we can deliver on our mandates to the citizens of our member countries.”

Commenting on the success of the Forum, Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), said: “Supporting the private sector has become more important than ever and is moving towards a more flexible and sustainable economic development. In this context, ITFC truly appreciates this active participation of the private sector in the Private Sector Forum, during which an excellent platform to enhance the trade and investment opportunities was provided, which was offered by the OIC member countries. Therefore, it is very important that these new business opportunities be financed so that the private sector can operate as an economic catalyst to make a tangible and meaningful impact.”

Mr. Ayman Sejini, CEO of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, mentioned: “Creating an enabling environment and putting in place appropriate safeguards that need to accompany increased private sector engagement in often sensitive sectors is crucial. A set of guiding principles can help overcome policy dilemmas associated with increased private sector engagement in SDG sectors. A number of tools, including public-private partnerships, investment insurance, blended financing and advance market commitments, can help improve the risk-return profile of SDG investment projects.”

For more information, kindly visit the Private Sector Forum website: (www.IsDBG-PSF.org)

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

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Afreximbank extends US$10-million facility to Azania Bank to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Tanzania

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8 hours ago

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September 17, 2026

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Afreximbank

Delivered under Afreximbank’s Export SME Development Programme (ESDP), the facility will enable Azania Bank to provide eligible SMEs with both working capital and medium-term financing to support business expansion, asset acquisition and pre- and post-export operations

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, September 17, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has extended a US$10-million finance facility to Azania Bank of Tanzania (Azania Bank) to improve access to finance for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across Tanzania’s export value chains and to strengthen their participation in regional and international trade

 




  

Delivered under Afreximbank’s Export SME Development Programme (ESDP), the facility will enable Azania Bank to provide eligible SMEs with both working capital and medium-term financing to support business expansion, asset acquisition and pre- and post-export operations. This is expected to boost productivity and enhance participation in regional and global value chains, while addressing persistent financing gaps that constrain SME growth and export development.

Azania Bank will on-lend the funds to eligible SMEs engaged in export-oriented activities across key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, trade, technology, logistics and value-added exports. The facility will enhance the bank’s ability to support the growing financing needs of SMEs and emerging businesses that play a vital role in Tanzania’s industrialisation and trade agenda.

The initiative is expected to support business growth, create employment opportunities, improve export readiness and strengthen Tanzania’s participation in regional value chains. It will also help SMEs leverage opportunities arising from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by enhancing their capacity to participate effectively in cross-border trade and regional supply networks.

SMEs are the backbone of Africa’s productive economy and are critical to driving industrialisation

In addition to financing, Afreximbank will provide participating SMEs with structured business development support, including export readiness training, financial management advisory services, market linkage opportunities, digitalisation support and access to SME-focused knowledge and networking platforms. These interventions are designed to strengthen enterprise resilience, improve competitiveness and enable SMEs to scale sustainably.

Mrs. Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director, Export Development, Afreximbank commented: “SMEs are the backbone of Africa’s productive economy and are critical to driving industrialisation, value addition and trade-led growth. However, many businesses continue to face significant barriers to accessing the financing, market opportunities and technical support needed to scale and compete effectively”.

 

“Through the Export SME Development Programme, Afreximbank is partnering with financial institutions such as Azania Bank to provide not only financing, but also the capacity building and market access solutions required for SMEs to grow, export and integrate into regional and global value chains. We believe this partnership will contribute meaningfully to Tanzania’s export development objectives and help unlock new opportunities for local enterprises under the AfCFTA.”

Mr. Yahaya Mbanka, Director, Business Development, Azania Bank Plc, said: “This facility will strengthen our ability to provide Tanzanian SMEs with the financing they need to grow their businesses, invest in productive capacity and pursue export opportunities. Our partnership with Afreximbank will also enable us to offer support that responds more closely to the needs of businesses operating across Tanzania’s key value chains.”

The facility which supports Afreximbank’s mandate to promote trade, industrialisation and export development across Africa, also aligns with Tanzania’s priorities around domestic production, value addition, export diversification and regional trade integration.

Afreximbank’s 2025 Afreximbank Annual Trade Development Effectiveness Report (https://apo-opa.co/4hgL25z) (ATDER) shows that the Bank extended over US$960 million to more than 58,000 SMEs across Africa. The initiative which prioritized women- and youth-led enterprises among others, delivered trade finance facilities that empowered businesses to obtain the capital necessary to scale, engage in cross-border trade, and expand into new markets.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

 

 




 

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Hong Kong’s 2026 Policy Address: A Strategic Vision for a Bright New Era

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15 hours ago

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September 17, 2026

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Hong Kong

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2026 – Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, today (September 16) announced his fifth Policy Address, putting forward a series of measures to create development opportunities and enhance the well-being of the people.

“This year marks the opening year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. In the thick of accelerating global changes not seen in a century, the vibrant momentum driven by our country’s robust strength, enormous market and high-quality development presents Hong Kong with boundless opportunities. We will better develop our economy and boost social well-being, starting a bright new chapter for Hong Kong,” Mr Lee said.

 




  

Entitled “A Strategic Vision for a Bright New Era, Driving Reform and Boosting Development, Unleashing Opportunities and Enhancing Livelihood”, the Policy Address takes the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan) as its blueprint, and proposes numerous key measures focusing on five major development opportunities to advance high-quality development.

To attract and retain high-calibre talent, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will expedite the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town to strengthen the city’s position as an international education hub. The HKSAR Government will also increase the research postgraduate places by around 30 per cent and the quota for government scholarships by 200, and establish five new major academies for training international talent: the International Clinical Trial Academy, Maritime Academy, Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy, Hong Kong Intellectual Property Academy and Hong Kong International Academy of Policing.

To promote industry development, the Policy Address proposes to accelerate development of an international gold trading market and to explore a proposal to provide tax concessions for qualifying activities within the gold and commodity trading ecosystem. The HKSAR Government will also announce details of the new Renminbi-denominated and physically settled gold futures contracts; explore the possibility of increasing the Exchange Fund’s gold holdings, and gradually transfer its physical gold holdings to designated vaults appointed by the Hong Kong Precious Metals Central Clearing Company Limited.

A number of policies are proposed to promote industry development, including introducing specialty insurance (e.g. commodity, commercial aerospace, etc.); injecting funding into the Artificial Intelligence Subsidy Scheme to support the development of the intelligent computing industry; accelerating the adoption of medical innovation and industry chain development to enable the public to benefit from better and newer drugs; and fostering a new economic landscape for the low-altitude and emerging industries, such as commercial aerospace.

The Government is developing six special industry parks, including the Loop Hong Kong Park, San Tin Technopole, Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park, Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster and Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen modern logistics cluster. Land is also earmarked for building an advanced construction industry park to increase investment opportunities for enterprises.

To attract enterprises to establish a foothold in Hong Kong, tax concessions will be granted on the basis of the value brought by enterprises, instead of solely considering the industry sector. The Government will introduce an amendment bill this year, providing preferential tax rates of 5 per cent, or half-rate, for selected enterprises operating in key sectors such as finance, advanced manufacturing, innovation and technology, as well as research and development, headquarters activities and logistics and supply chain management.

The HKSAR Government will fully support the work of the International Organization for Mediation headquartered in Hong Kong, and build a global capital of mediation. It will also drive the establishment of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law in Hong Kong, support the Judiciary to advance the development of the International Commercial Court, and establish the “Strategy Committee on Intellectual Property Trading Development” to assist the Government in formulating strategies and support measures for the promotion of intellectual property trading.

Regarding international co-operation, two United Nations (UN) organisations, the centre of excellence on global advanced manufacturing and the Office on Drugs and Crime’s GlobE Network Asia Pacific Regional Bureau, will establish their presence in Hong Kong respectively. Elsewhere, the new WestK Performing Arts Centre, scheduled to open next year, will feature four performance venues built to the highest international theatre standards, while Asian and international sports associations will be encouraged to establish a presence in Hong Kong.

“Today, Hong Kong is at a critical juncture in advancing from stability to prosperity. We are fully aware that formulating a comprehensive, strategic roadmap is integral to our long-term development. The Government has been persistent in mapping our way by driving development through reform. The primary goal of our policies is to enable economic development that can benefit the people of Hong Kong, and meet their aspirations for a better life,” Mr Lee said.
 




 

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Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan sets out long-term vision for development

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15 hours ago

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September 17, 2026

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Hong Kong

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2026 – Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, today (September 16) announced the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030). This inaugural Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong is of monumental significance, which aims to enhance the city’s all-round strategic development in the medium- to long-term. Priority initiatives include upholding and enhancing the executive-led system, improving the efficacy of governance and proactively aligning Hong Kong with national development strategies in order to fully grasp the opportunities for growth and prosperity.
 




 

“Not only is it an action agenda for Hong Kong to better capitalise on the aggregate advantages arising from national and international opportunities, but also a pathway for continuously enhancing social well-being. By formulating the Five-Year Plan, it shall shed light on Hong Kong’s directions of development, optimise resource allocation, enhance social expectation certainty, and better protect social well-being as well as the interests of investors across the world. Hong Kong will become a more attractive, vibrant and opportunity-rich world city,” Mr Lee said.

Hong Kong will continue to boost economic growth led by “four centres and one hub”, namely its status as an international financial centre, international trade centre, international maritime centre and international aviation hub, while expediting the city’s development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. Hong Kong will also become an international hub for high-calibre talent, attracting global capital, talent, and financial enterprises.

Hong Kong will continue to leverage its advantages as an international city. With the unique edge as a common law jurisdiction under the principle of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong will deepen its development into a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services, including a global capital of mediation and hub for high-calibre legal talent. Hong Kong will develop a regional intellectual property trading centre, an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, a centre for major international sports events and a core demonstration zone for multi-destination tourism.

A pleasant, vibrant and innovative Northern Metropolis will be developed through an approach that is planning-oriented, infrastructure-led, industry-driven, and people-oriented. Development objectives revolve around the Northern Metropolis University Town, I&T, industry, and providing an environment suitable for living, work, and travel.

Hong Kong will continue to participate in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in terms of both “hard” and “soft” connectivity. This includes taking forward infrastructure plans, such as cross-boundary railway projects, while also enhancing alignment rules and mechanisms within the GBA. To achieve “connectivity of hearts” among the residents of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, Hong Kong will advance collaboration in areas such as health care, elderly care, environmental protection, sports, culture and tourism, establishing the GBA as an international first-class bay area with global influence. At the same time, Hong Kong actively participates in the work of international organisations, and fully participates in the high-quality co-operation under the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to create an international collaboration network.

The Five-Year Plan sets out clearly the strategic direction in livelihood-related areas such as education, youth and women’s development, a harmonious and inclusive society, health care, housing, strengthened support for the disadvantaged groups, labour protection, elderly care, green transformation. This will strengthen the sense of fulfilment, happiness, and security in the community, enabling people to benefit from the high-quality development of the country and the city.

“The Government will stay committed to the ‘people-oriented’ ethos, strive relentlessly to enhance social well-being, and sustain economic development, so as to build a Hong Kong that is more open, more inclusive, more liberal, more prosperous and safer,” Mr Lee concluded.

For the full document of Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and related information, please visit the dedicated website (www.hk5yplan.gov.hk).
 




 

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