DUSHANBE, May 21, 2013, Asia-Plus – A seminar entitled “Financing and Business Opportunities of IsDB Projects with Success Stories” took place in Dushanbe on May 18 as part of the events preceding to the 38th Annual Meeting of the IsDB Group.

According to the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)’s website, Tajik Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mr. Sharif Rahimzoda, noted that the Islamic Development Bank trains future leaders and helps in building a modern society.

“Tajikistan is a young country, our effort is to train and teach people in different spheres of life and culture, and IsDB gives us a chance to train our people.  IsDB is helping us to build a modern society”, the minister stated.

In his opening remarks, IsDB Vice President (Operations), Mr. Birama Sidibe, stated that the Islamic Development Bank has approved 340 projects in the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) region at the cost of US$4.6 billion, and 59 of these projects are in Tajikistan costing US$290 million.  The Vice President added that at the moment there are 18 ongoing projects in Tajikistan contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.

The seminar reportedly aimed to create awareness amongst the local and international business communities on IDB offered products, services and business opportunities, giving examples with the success stories of six of its financed projects in Tajikistan, Indonesia, Guinea, Djibouti, and Morocco.

The following six success stories were presented during the seminar: Micro and Small Enterprise Microfinance in Guinea; Higher Education Intervention in Indonesia; Micro Hydro Power Generators Project; the Reconstruction of Secondary Education Project in Tajikistan; the Doraleh Container Terminal in Djibouti; and the Rural Electrification Program in Morocco.