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The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation Launches STEP Training to Boost the Capacities of Egyptian Exporters

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AFTIAS

Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of ITFC: The training program aims to promote a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem to diversify Egypt’s economy, enhance the role of the private sector and strengthen the integration of local SMEs into local and global supply chains

CAIRO, Egypt, January 23, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (http://www.ITFC-idb.org), the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), and the Foreign Trade Training Center, part of Egypt’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, launched the STEP 2 training for exporters to boost the capacities of Egyptian entrepreneurs and incorporate their products and services into the global supply chain.

The training program, worth US$ 350,000, is funded by the ITFC and comes under the 2nd Phase of the Aid for Trade Initiative for the Arab States (AFTIAS 2.0) program to support Egyptian youth, exporters, and owners of the small, medium, and micro enterprises.

The launching ceremony took place in the presence of Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of ITFC and Chairman of the Board of Directors of AFTIAS 2.0, Mr. Bassel Rahmy, CEO of MSMEDA, Mrs. Mary Kamel, Executive Director of the Foreign Trade Training Center (FTTC), and Mr. Amr Hazaa, Advisor to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Head of the Development Projects Unit.

To improve the performance and competitiveness of the Egyptian economy, STEP 2 aims to nurture a new generation of Egyptian exporters and increase their capabilities, knowledge, and skills in order to enable them to produce valuable products that match market needs.

The FTTC offers an integrated and holistic training program that covers the entire export cycle, equipping entrepreneurs with the skills needed to study and analyze international markets, identify available export opportunities, and prepare a strategic plan for export.

The project will assist entrepreneurs in upgrading their products and rendering them competitive, which can help them become more opportunities for exportation

It also covers export logistics, including means of packaging, shipping, transportation, and methods of financing.

Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol said: ” ITFC is proud of its strong partnership with Egypt and MSMEDA in launching the training program, which aims to promote a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem to diversify Egypt’s economy, enhance the role of the private sector and strengthen the integration of local SMEs into local and global supply chains.”

He explained that the economic empowerment of Egyptian youth is the guiding criteria for all of the programs of the ITFC in Egypt in order to help them expand their businesses to reach new markets.

For his part, Basil Rahmi, CEO of MSMEDA, said: “MSMEDA has exhibited a profound interest in cooperating closely with ITFC and the FTTC to kick-start the Project “Training … a Step to Exportation.” This project aims to build and foster the exporting capacities of entrepreneurs and give them access to adequate training and connect them with international markets. The project will also assist entrepreneurs in upgrading their products and rendering them competitive, which can help them become more opportunities for exportation.”

For her part, Mary Kamel, Executive Director of the Foreign Trade Training Center, noted that the training center aims to create a new generation of qualified exporters to develop the competitiveness of Egyptian exports in global markets, in order to ensure economic growth and create opportunities for entrepreneurs to start exporting.

She added that the project was set up in line with the objectives of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, aiming to train 600 trainees from all governorates over a period of two years and equip them with the right knowledge, concepts, and skills necessary for exporting.

For his part, Minister Plenipotentiary, Amr Hazaa, Advisor to the Minister of Trade and Industry, affirmed that this project comes in line with the goals of the ITFC and within the framework of the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s plan to expand Egyptian exports to US$100 billion.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

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

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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.

 

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

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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.

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

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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.

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