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IFPA International Conference kicks off with renewed calls for rebuilding a better intra-OIC agri-food system

On July 27 2021, International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA”) under the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (“IOFS”) holds an international virtual conference “Intra-OIC Agri-Food Opportunities and Challenges” which integrated about 70 participants. The acute themes from expert speakers were developing effective mechanisms to promote access to Islamic finance and investments for markets of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (“OIC”) in the agri-food sector, establishing strategic logistic centres and trade corridor, distributing and promoting agri-food products and championing top companies for intra-OIC agri-food trade and exports.

The opening ceremony and first session chaired by Ms. Elvira Berdauletova, Head of PR and Communication of IFPA, was inaugurated with keynote speech from Director General of IOFS H.E. Yerlan Baidaulet who remarked that “today agriculture and food security occupy the centre stage in the development strategies of nations. Mutual intra-OIC cooperation in this important sector could play a vital role in the agri-food sector development and also ensure food security in OIC countries.”

Other highlights during the first part of the conference included a discussion on Bangladesh’s agri-food exports/imports in OIC/IOFS markets by Mr. Jashim Uddin, President of Bangladesh Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry; dynamics and opportunities of Dubai’s agri-food trade within OIC markets was widely presented by the Economic Researcher of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Nizami Imamverdiev; Mr. Aibek Sagynayev, Director of the Project Development Department of QazTrade spoke about the trade indicators between Kazakhstan and OIC, while Mr. Saken Olzhabayev, Deputy Director of Investment and Marketing Department of Kazakh Invest discussed  about collaboration opportunity with IFPA in agri-food investment projects.

The second session was moderated by the Senior Manager of Marketing of IFPA, Ms. Aighanym Pakhrutdinova, which put focus on utilising Islamic financial instruments in the agri-food sector including a presentation delivered by Mr. Zhaksylyk Zhumanov, Director of “Al Hilal Islamic Bank” in Kazakhstan, along with some other key areas of discussion which were presented by four speakers from IFPA t which included IFPA’s role in connecting agri-tech with Islamic fin-tech (as discussed by the Head of Administration, Mr. Meirambek Issabekov); Islamic financial tools such as Sukuk for agri-food investment projects (as discussed by Mr. Berik Kaliyev, Head of International Partnerships), Islamic trade financing structures applicable for exports/imports (as discussed by Mr. Darkhan Issin, Head of Accounts and Finance); and the relevance of Islamic insurance (Takaful) models to agri-food industry (as discussed by Ms. Gulsum Kenenbayeva, Head of International Memberships) .

The closing session saw a keynote address by the Director General and CEO of IFPA, H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan, who mentioned that “within the OIC 57 countries with their combined geographic and economic diversity, IFPA is ready to consolidate the efforts to enable significant growth of food exports, building champion companies from OIC across key essential food sub-sectors and provide a single platform for connecting and facilitating intra-OIC agri-food trade and investment”. H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan shared recommendations as special outcomes of the conference by highlighting that IFPA intends to enable technology platforms for OIC food trade and development based on blockchain and other innovative technologies which will allow importers, exporters and other entities within the supply chain across the OIC agri-food markets to directly liaise with each other with the ability to track and trace all the necessary data in real time; promote increased use of latest agri-tech and fin-tech solutions; establish key OIC food value chain hubs and identify intra-OIC potential partnerships and investment opportunities.

You can watch the video of the conference on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5VbWtIsqxA

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International IFPA participates in the major Grain Union conference

On July 21 2021, the International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA”) participated in online international conference hosted by the Kazakh Grain Union (“Union”).

The online event kicked off with about 100 registrants including CIS grain manufacturers and provided a unique opportunity for business networking, real-time discussions of crop production technologies, innovations in storage and processing of grain, development of promising deep grain processing sector to extract all valuable components of the grain to produce high value added products, which may be used in various fields of industry, especially as strategically important goods for import substitution and food security of the agribusiness complex.

IFPA was introduced by its Head of Memberships of the Business Development and Marketing Departments, Ms. Gulsum Kenenbayeva. She delivered a special presentation during which she provided an overview of the key value proposition of IFPA for the grain industry, the members of the Union and all participants of the conference. Ms. Kenenbayeva remarked: “OIC markets have a huge demand for value-added agri-food products of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is the only country in the world that sells more wheat flour on the foreign market than it consumes and IFPA under the leadership of its Director General and CEO, H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan, will work closely with the Union to enable trade, develop the export potential of the sector with particular focus on the deep processing segment for higher added value”.

Kazakh Grain Union was established in 1995 and represents Kazakhstan‘s broadacre, grain and oilseed producers at the national level. The Union’s major role is to act as a voice for grain farmers, mostly through its legislative activities at the state level and to foster a strong, innovative, profitable, globally competitive and environmentally sustainable grains industry in Kazakhstan.

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“Intra-OIC Agri-Food Opportunities & Challenges” virtual conference

International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA”) under the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (“IOFS”) are holding a major virtual conference entitled, “Intra-OIC Agri-Food Opportunities & Challenges” on Tuesday 27 July, 2021 15:00 (NUR-SULTAN TIME, GMT 6+)

The online conference is dedicated towards developing effective mechanisms to promote access to Islamic finance and investments for markets of the OIC Member States in the agri-food sector; establishing strategic logistic centres and trade corridors; distributing and promoting agri-food products and championing top companies for intra-OIC agri-food trade and exports as well as facilitating business connections and strategic partnerships in the food processing and wider food supply chain.

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Барша мұсылмандарды Қажылық және Құрбан Айт мерекесімен шын жүректен құттықтаймыз

Азық-түлік қауіпсіздігі жөніндегі Ислам ұйымы (“IOFS”) жанындағы Халықаралық Ислам тамақ өнеркәсібі қауымдастығының (“IFPA”) ұжымы атынан барша мұсылмандарды Қажылық және Құрбан Айт мерекесімен шын жүректен құттықтаймыз.

IFPA сондай-ақ, Ислам Ынтымақтастығы Ұйымы мен IOFS мемлекеттерінің баршасына бейбітшілік, өркендеу мен амандық тілейді.

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Сердечно поздравляем всех мусульман со светлым праздником Курбан-Айт

От имени Международной Исламской ассоциации пищевой промышленности и Исламской организации продовольственной безопасности сердечно поздравляем всех мусульман со светлым праздником Курбан-Айт.

IFPA желает мира, процветания и благополучия странам Организации исламского сотрудничества и IOFS.

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International IFPA participates in “Kazakhstan Field Day” international exhibition

July 14-16 2021, International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA”) participates as a major sponsoring partner in a specialized exhibition known as “Kazakhstan Field Day Jańa Dala 2021” involving the meeting of agricultural experts and manufacturers which was organised by “EXPO TIME” and held in the demo fields within Akkol district of Akmola region. EXPO Time is a premier business exhibition company, which organizes B2B exhibitions and conferences with a competitive edge in the Kazakhstani market.

Field Day 2021 becomes an effective platform for the stakeholders of the agricultural sector to meet each other; share advanced developments in the agricultural sector; and exchange experiences, best agricultural technologies, equipment and machinery, seeds and fertilizers, farming pests, pest control methods and practices, storage, packaging technologies and all allied industries on one platform. The exhibition is a phenomenal eye-opener for the farmers, growers, wholesalers, importers, exporters and all other stakeholders of every segment of agriculture.

IFPA was represented by its business development and marketing departments including the Head of Memberships, Ms. Gulsum Kenenbayeva and the Head of Partnerships, Mr. Berik Kaliyev. Mr. Kaliyev delivered a special speech during which he conducted a very informative and resourceful presentation about all the possible Islamic investment instruments and tools that are available to the agri-food stakeholders in Kazakhstan, including various Islamic contracts and structures such as Salam Sukuk, Islamic investment funds and other Shariah-compliant beneficial products. He reminded the vast audience about the great opportunity that the $3 trillion global Islamic finance industry offers the Kazakhstani agricultural markets and for Kazakhstan to become one of the rapidly growing epicenters for Halal agri-food trade and Islamic finance in the CIS markets. He particularly remarked that: “International IFPA under the leadership of the Director General and CEO, H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan,is aiming to connect Islamic investors from the OIC markets to boost agri-food projects in Kazakhstanand facilitate a double-digit growth of the agricultural exports linking Central and South Asian markets to Middle Eastern and African markets. Islamic financial industry provides a new opportunityfor the CIS region and heralds a new era which can provide much needed ethical financial support for a sustainable future with economic stability and mitigation of geo-economic risks”.

Within the framework of the Field Day 2021 a number of targeted seminars, round tables and master classes were organised with the purpose of discussing current topical issues of agriculture and shaping the future collaboration landscape of agricultural technology.

IFPA congratulates all the organisers, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and participants for a successful exhibition and event and keenly anticipates plenty of follow-up activities from prospective members and partners.

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IFPA’s Integrated Role in OIC Food Supply Chain was discussed at the International Conference

On July 14 2021, the International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA”) participated in the online international conference “Best practices for building sustainable food systems in the OIC region” hosted by the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (“IOFS”) with the support of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (“OIC”) Secretariat.

The live-streamed interactive international conference provides a platform to exchange game-changing innovations and high-impact solutions to radically transform the OIC food system into a more sustainable, inclusive, nutritious and resilient one. The event brings together ministers, decision-makers, opinion-leaders and leading scientific experts worldwide to discuss food security at all spatial levels from local to global and better understand environmental, nutritional, agricultural, demographic, socio-economic, political, technological and institutional drivers, costs and outcomes of intra-OIC current and future food security.

The opening ceremony moderated by Dr. Ismail Abdelhamid, Director of Programmes and Projects Office, IOFS was initiated with keynote speeches from H.E. Dr. Ahmad Kawesa Sengendo, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; H.E. Mr. Martin Frick, Deputy Special Envoy to the UN Secretary General for the Food System’s Summit 202; H.E. Mr. Shadhan Chandra Majumder, Minister of Food of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; H.E. Mrs. Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of State for Food & Water Security of the United Arab Emirates; H.E. Amie Fabureh, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of The Gambia; Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Agriculture of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana; H.E. Mr. Ziyozoda Sulaymon Rizoi, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic Tajikistan; H.E. Mr. AlSayed Marzouq Al-Qusayr, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of the Arab Republic of Egypt; H.E. Syed Fakhar Imam, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; H.E. Mr. Yerlan A. Baidaulet, Director General of IOFS.

IFPA was represented by Mr. Meirambek Issabekov, Head of Administration participated in the panel session moderated by Dr. Mohamed Ali, Food Practice Lead, Dinar Standard and entitled, “Management of food supply chains” along with other notable speakers such as Mr. Biola Badmos, IsDB Expert; Mr. Omar Ndaw Faye, Rice Breeder – Agronomist Engineer at the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research; Mr. Chaitanya GRK, Regional Director, MENA; Mr. Amr Ramadan, FAO Expert; Dr. Maxim Ivanov, Expert of the Center for Sectoral Economics of the Russian Financial Research Institute.

Mr. Meirambek Issabekov provided an overview of the key value proposition of IFPA, OIC countries food system security, and remarked: “this is a pivotal moment demanding urgent reflection on actions needed to bolster intra-OIC food safety. IFPA under the leadership of the Director General and CEO, H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan is aiming to translate the G2G mandate of IOFS into the B2B reality to explore key challenges, constraints and opportunities of OIC agri-food sector as well as provide sustainable solutions through the medium of supply chain, value chain and blockchain”.

Food security governance, agricultural development and food supply chain management issues were particularly discussed by Mr. Md. Shahiduzzaman Faruki, Director General of the Food Planning and Monitoring Unit of the Ministry of Food of Bangladesh; Mr. Masoud Jarallah Al Marri, Director of Food Security Department, Ministry of Municipality and Environment of Qatar; Mr. Sisay Yeshanew, the FAO Legal Office, Development Law Branch; Mr. David Butler, Director, Sustainable Food Systems of Ireland; Dr. Agung Hendriadi, Director General of National Agency for Food Security of Indonesia.

The main outcome from an international conference highlighted the urgency of resolving environmental, economic and social objectives towards achieving sustainable food security at different levels across spatial and temporal scales.

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International IFPA participates in the virtual Arab-African Business Forum on Agri-Food Products

Under the umbrella of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (“OIC”), the Islamic Centre for the Development of Trade (“ICDT”) and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (“BADEA”) hosted a high-level dialogue, “The Arab-African Virtual Business Forum on Products of Food and Agricultural Industries” from 6th to 8th July 2021.

The Forum was inaugurated with keynote speeches from H.E. Dr. Ahmed Sengendo, Assistant Secretary General for Economic Affairs of the OIC; H.E. Dr. Gabriel Ibrahim Mohamed, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of the Republic of Sudan; H.E. Mr. Souleymane Diarassouba, Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire; H.E. Dr Fahad Aldossari, Chairman of the Board of the BADEA, and H.E. Mrs. Latifa Elbouabdellaoui, Director General of ICDT.

International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA”) was invited to participate while its parent body the Islamic Organization for Food Security (“IOFS”) was one of the key partners of the Forum. The Director General and CEO of IFPA, H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan presented in the key panel session entitled, “Obstacles to Trade Development of the Agri-Food Products” along with other notable speakers such as the Secretary General of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (“SMIIC”), H.E. Ihsan Ovut; the Global Lead Food Security Specialist of the Islamic Development Bank (“IsDB”), Mr. Ougfaly Badji; the Director of International Relations of Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (“ICCIA”), Ms. Aalia Jaffer; the Agricultural Economist of Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (“AOAD”), Mr. Salah Mohamed Elawad Salih; and the Director of Risk Evaluation and Legal Affairs at ONSSA of Morocco, Mr. Hamid Lachhab.

H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan provided an overview of the key value proposition of IFPA and the strategic opportunities for the OIC institutions for collaboration. During his speech, he remarked that “virtual business forums have become the foremost platforms in driving business, trade and investment between OIC Member States, with important initiatives that strengthen growth and prosperity in the agri-food sector. IFPA is very keen to provide special services to facilitate financial and technical support for trade and investment-related activities aimed at promoting intra-OIC trade through specific interventions and dedicated Islamic trade finance and investment components.”

H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan shared poignant recommendations as outcomes of the panel session by stating that “IFPA recommends to work very closely with all relevant OIC institutions for development of intra-OIC agri-food trade and investment especially for IFPA to:

  1. strengthen public-private partnerships in agri-food sectors in OIC countries;
  2. utilise all trade corridors, free trade agreements and bilateral/multilateral treatises;
  3. closely cooperate with IsDB Group entities (ICIEC/ITFC/ICD) for cohesive and synergetic partnerships;
  4. join ICCIA’s mega agri-based forums, jointly create new agricultural commodities exchange markets and participate in Green Waqf initiatives and;
  5. through IOFS to join hands with IsDB Group to deal with the wider issues of food insecurity and robust governance framework”.

Given the current context of the Covid-19 pandemic which has caused the cancellation of exhibitions dedicated to the agri-food sector, this high-level dialogue has allowed everyone to focus on boosting cooperation as well as technical and financial assistance to promote trade and investment among the OIC Member States.

On the occasion of this Forum there were bilateral B2B meetings, an exhibition of participating companies, 15 scientific sessions with integrated 49 speakers and almost 600 exhibitors across the OIC countries. The Forum showcased a potential opportunity to promote the participants’ products and services, establish commercial relations and partnerships and explore investment opportunities. Projects and activities involving the growth of trade-related investment together with knowledge transfer and technology transfer were explored with the aim of growing the combined member base.

By way of examples, some key export opportunities in food sectors of Arab-African countries were particularly discussed by Mr. Hassan Sentissi ElIdrissi, President of Moroccan Federation of Fisheries Companies (FENIP); Mrs. Maimouna Diori, Director General of Niger Sahel Dairy Company; Mrs. Olga Yenou, Director General of TAFISA; Mrs. Fatou Cissoko, Director General of Fatou and Kadija SARL; and Mr. Guido Firetti, CEO of Demeter Agricultural Services and Management.

Key outcomes from this Forum noted importance of mobilizing and allocating resources to impactful investments in OIC countries, including recovery packages to overcome the adverse impacts of COVID-19. The Forum also addressed the key challenges limiting the business community and urged trade and investment authorities of the countries to nurture an environment where the parties can benefit from the opportunities that exist.