DUSHANBE, June 7, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov today morning departed for Astana, Kazakhstan to attend the 7th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) that is opening there today.

The topic of the conference that will last till June 9 is “Globalization: Interaction, Competition and Cooperation for the Mobilization of Muslim and Non-Muslim Countries to Greater Economic Independence through Open Channels of Multilateral Relations and Strategic Cooperation,” the source at the government said.

According to him, the forum will discuss issues related to Islamic banking, development of financial infrastructure, "halal" industry, development of small and medium businesses and alternative energy sources.

World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) is headquartered in Malaysia.  Formerly known as the OIC Business Forum, the Forum was renamed to reflect the inclusion of Muslim business communities in other parts of the world and also to include the participation of the non-Muslim business community interested to establish good business relationships with the Muslim world.

The previous six forums took place in: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in October 2005; Islamabad, Pakistan in September 2006; Kuala Lumpur 2007; Kuwait in May 2008; Jakarta in March 2009; and Kuala Lumpur in May 2010.