Posted on

International IFPA signs an agreement with FLY BVLOS TECHNOLOGY

International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA”) Director General and CEO H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan during the participation in the 7th World Halal Summit and 8th edition of the OIC Halal Expo in Turkey, Istanbul held a meeting with the CEO of FLY BVLOS Technology (“FLY BVLOS”), Mr. M. Zeki Guvercin.

IFPA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (“IOFS”) and serves as a B2B platform for all the private sector agri-food trade and investment initiatives across the OIC markets under the G2G patronage of the IOFS.

FLY BVLOS is one of the leading farmer drone technology enterprises in Turkey. Drone technologies in the agri-sector have helped over the last decade to re-define the farming industry, resulting in improving crop yields, higher economic returns, and more efficient use of water and labor.

The parties expressed their strong commitment to developing a collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) on the promotion of drones technologies for efficiency of intra-OIC agriculture sector that can be innovative tech solutions to the lack of skilled human resources, heavy machinery, livestock monitoring, crop health assessment, and field mapping in the wider market of the OIC member countries.

H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan and Mr. M. Zeki Guvercin also gave a joint interview to the World Halal Summit media outlet and discussed opportunities for cooperation between IFPA and FLY BVLOS across the OIC and IOFS markets.

Posted on

International IFPA delegates visited 7th World Halal Summit and 8th OIC Halal Expo in Istanbul, Turkey

International IFPA participated in the 8th edition of OIC Halal Expo, the largest exhibition in the Halal sector organized in association with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the 7th World Halal Summit, under the theme of “New Era & New Normals: Necessity of Halal Production and Consumption”, primarily orgnized by the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) and in coordination with the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT).

Being organized annually these events attract participators from 36 countries with around 35,000 visitors and bring to light the latest developments and updates related to Halal sector; offer a unique exhibition area and a dynamic platform for a wide range of B2B meetings and side-events with the participation of ministers, decision-makers, opinion-leaders and leading scientific experts worldwide to discuss world-class technological infrastructure and high-quality services and goods in the sector of Halal among OIC member countries.

International IFPA delegation was represented by its Chair of the Board, H.E. Mr. Yerlan Baidaulet, Director General and CEO of IFPA H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan, the Head of International Memberships, Ms. Gulsum Kenenbayeva, Head of Administration, Mr. Meirambek Issabekov and Ms. Aiman Tursynkhan, representative of a key Corporate Member of IFPA.

H.E. Yerlan Baidaulet delivered a keynote address in the Opening Ceremony of 7th World Halal Summit which provided an overarching overview of the key strategic vision of IOFS for the OIC Halal industry, while the IFPA team held several B2B productive meetings with intra-OIC agri-food sector entities for enhancing cooperation through IFPA’s multilateral private sector platform. These one-to-one meetings were conducted with the heads of entities such as LSISCO CIDA Co Ltd, Fly BVLOs Technology, Korkmaz, Lokman Hekim University, Indonesia Halal Inspection Agency and many others.

Posted on

International IFPA held a seminar for food exporters of Kazakhstan

International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA”) and the international audit, tax and advisory services company KPMG Kazakhstan (“KPMG”) held a joint seminar for the JSC QazTrade Center for Trade Policy Development (“QazTrade”). This was a virtual Webinar dedicated to the promotion of exports and supply-chain linkages of food industry enterprises of Kazakhstan into intra-OIC value chains consisting of more than 30 manufacturers and agri-food sector enterprises including rice production, honey-producing, poultry meet manufacturing, flour milling and many others.

Endowed with vast fertile soil, Kazakhstan has a competitive edge in agricultural production, however, producers often struggle to access the foreign markets due to limited competitiveness, concerns about food safety standards, limited managerial skills and other export-related obstacles.

Other highlights during the Webinar included discussing promoting food producers’ international competitiveness, simplifying border procedures and decreasing administrative barriers to export, the importance of providing tailored support services including the implementation of programs for supply-chain linkages between food producers and large food retailers operating in OIC markets.

The Director General and CEO of IFPA, H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan, welcomed participants of the Webinar and delivered a special speech where H.E. remarked: “IFPA is very keen to develop close cooperation with food enterprises to create special services in implementing a targeted program to enhance the sector’s investment and innovation; promote agri-food cluster development; increase the readiness of businesses to implement the food safety standards aligned with the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (“SMIIC”) standards; ensure access to the Halal food markets of OIC countries with required certification and accreditation; facilitate supply chain linkages between local food processors and intra-OIC markets; and attract Islamic investments and financing to projects in the agri-food industry.”

Posted on

International IFPA participated in the International Agricultural Conference

International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA”) participated in one of the largest agro-industrial conferences of the Central Asia region “Asia Grains & Oils Conference in Qazaqstan”.   The two-day conference brought together leading analysts, manufacturers, experts and participants of agro-industrial sectors to discuss value-added innovations and high-impact solutions in the sphere of grain and oilseed growing and processing.   The event was inaugurated with keynote speeches from Ambassadors of Uzbekistan and Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Saidikram Niyazhodjaev and H.E. Mr. Petr Vrublevsky respectively. The diplomats discussed global trends of grain and oilseed markets and export prospects of the fat-and-oil industry of the countries. Other highlights during the conference included speeches from notable speakers as Mr. Asylzhan Mamytbekov, ex-Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan; Mr. David Jackson, Director of LMC International; Mr. Mikhail Maltsev, Head of Russian Fat and Oil Union; Mr. Kamar Serkayev, Deputy Chairman of the Association of Fat and Oil Enterprises of Uzbekistan; Mr. Darren Cooper, Senior Economist, International Grains Council; Mr. Rodion Rubchinskiy, FAO Expert and many others.   The Director General and CEO of the IFPA H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan presented on the special Roundtable Session “Experience in Development of Agricultural Complex by Means of Advanced Technologies” with the presence of a great number of agri-transportation and logistics companies. H.E. provided an overview of the key value proposition of IFPA, and the unique opportunities for close business partnership between IFPA and CIS grain and oil sector enterprises in trade and investment through the platform of IFPA under the umbrella of its parent entity, the IOFS. The Director General of IFPA remarked that: “IFPA is very pleased to welcome new potential members from CIS countries, and through our effective coordination and collaboration, we will help increase the contribution in attracting foreign direct investments into the agri-food market to boost new trade corridors and the potential of the agri-food sector for exports into both the CIS region and the wider OIC markets with special focus on Islamic investments and finance in infrastructure, logistics and technology enablers.”
Posted on

International IFPA participated in the online meeting with delegation of Tatarstan

International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA“) participated in the online webinar with the representatives of the Office of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, His Excellency Mr. Rustam Minnikhanov.

A live-streamed virtual meeting was devoted to the presentation of IFPA and «Astana» International Finance Centre (“AIFC“) activity and to promote mutually beneficial cooperation with the Republic of Tatarstan in the areas of trade and investment for private sector businesses.

The meeting was kicked off with the presentation of Mr. Baurzhan Sarsembekov, Director of International Business and Cooperation Department of AIFC Business Connect, who widely discussed key areas of activity and opportunities in international investments projects to the main sectors of the countries’ economies. Other highlights during the webinar included a discussion on developing effective mechanisms to promote access to Islamic finance and investments for markets of Tatarstan by Ms. Madina Tukulova, Deputy Head of Islamic Finance & Business HUB at the AIFC.

Some key start-up management and co-investment opportunities were particularly presented by AIFC TechHub and Platforms representative Mr. Arslan Kudiyar, with terms of regulation, registration of new AIFC participants, financing and structuring startups while venture capital companies were presented by Mr. Alibek Sultangazin.

IFPA was represented by Ms. Gulsum Kenenbayeva, Head of International Memberships, who conducted a presentation about the key value proposition of IFPA, namely the OIC countries’ food system security, and remarked: “CIS countries have a growing demand for value-added agri-food products of intra-OIC markets, where IFPA under the leadership of our Director General and CEO, H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan, is aiming to translate the G2G mandate of our parent entity the IOFS into the B2B reality to explore key challenges, constraints and opportunities of OIC agri-food sector as well as provide sustainable solutions to develop the export potential with particular focus on the deep processing segment for higher added value and attracting Islamic finance and investments into the agri-food sectors of OIC markets including Kazakhstan.”

Posted on

International IFPA holds a bilateral meeting with the president of FBCCI

H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan, the Director General and CEO of International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA”) held a meeting with the President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industries (“FBCCI”), Md. Jashim Uddin. Both organisations also had other senior personnel in attendance including the IFPA Business Development Department and the Senior Executive of FBCCI, Ms. Nazia Hasan Khondaker.

FBCCI was established in 1973 and brings together about 80 Chambers of Commerce and 400 Trade Associations. Currently, it is the major trade organization of Bangladesh that represents the interest of private entrepreneurs. The key objectives of the FBCCI are to aid and stimulate investment, development of trade, commerce, industry, agriculture, and other priority sectors of the economy; promote the common interest of its membership through dealings with the Government and other regulatory bodies; and provide consultative and advisory services in the formulation of commercial, industrial and fiscal policies at the national level.

The parties discussed opportunities for business cooperation between IFPA and FBCCI as well as at country level between Bangladesh and the OIC countries in the CIS region in agri-food trade and investment through the platform of IFPA. The President of FBCCI, Md. Jashim Uddin mentioned that “such meetings help to identify bilateral partnership opportunities through trade exports and investments to diversify the portfolio of assets suitable for Bangladeshi and OIC markets. I welcome this important initiative for FBCCI to become an Honorary Member and to join personally the Advisory Board of IFPA. We are very keen to introduce IFPA to key agri-food exporters and enterprises of Bangladesh to become Corporate Members as well as join upcoming and future business delegations to Halal Expo, Dubai Expo and other main international events of intra-OIC countries.”

The Director General and CEO of IFPA, H.E Sheikh Bilal Khan, remarked: “this is an important initiative for collaboration on activities and projects in supporting agri-food trade and investors via the FBCCI for the Bangladesh market which has a potentially huge pipeline of agri-exporters and investment projects. The joint efforts of IFPA and the FBCCI will promote all relevant agri-food projects of Bangladesh to the OIC member states and foster profitability of enterprises as well as expansion of cooperation between businesses and food companies of intra-OIC countries. We are looking forward to working closely with FBCCI as a valuable Honorary Member and warmly welcome Bangladeshi food exporters and businesses to join our platform as Corporate Members. Over the last two decades Bangladesh has made giant strides and remarkably placed itself on the global map for business, entrepreneurship and highly-talented human capital. The contribution to GDP from agriculture is rapidly increasing and there is truly immense potential. We discussed many issues of mutual interest and agreed to execute our joint initiatives in the very near future.”

Posted on

International IFPA signs an agreement with Jarvis Products Eurasia in the meat and poultry production sector

International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA”) held a bilateral meeting with the Director General of the Jarvis Products Eurasia (“Jarvis”), Mr.Syed Waqar Ahmad. The parent organisation Jarvis Products Corporation headquartered in Middletown, USA has been operating for approximately 100 years, primarily engaged in the meat, poultry, and seafood processing machinery. Jarvis as a subsidiary body specializes in slaughtering equipment for meat and poultry products.
 
During the meeting, parties discussed the importance of meat and poultry processing equipment for the Halal meat industry such as cutting and boning devices, band saws, carcass opening, and splitting saws, hock cutters, and skinning machines that represent significant cross-border standards and costs in production operations. These standards and costs can challenge an enterprise’s Halal benchmarking as well as cash flow, but properly managing them can help to optimize Halal meat and poultry production especially considering the rising demand for the quality of Halal meat and poultry products.
 
Director General of Jarvis Mr. Syed Waqar Ahmad noted that: “Jarvis as a leading innovator of new power tools utilizing the latest safety features adheres to the outstanding quality products and innovative solutions. We aim to expand efforts with IFPA in agri-food technologies to become the first source of Halal meat and poultry equipment and promote widely into the OIC markets”.
 
The Director General and CEO of IFPA, H.E Sheikh Bilal Khan remarked that: “IFPA is very pleased to welcome Jarvis as one of its key corporate members, and through our effective coordination and collaboration including assisting with opening an office in Kazakhstan at the Astana International Financial Centre (“AIFC”), we will help to expand cooperation between OIC businesses and food companies to facilitate Halal and safe meat and poultry standards in every segment of production and processing as well as increasing profitability of both SMEs and large-scale enterprises and ensure access to the Halal meat markets of OIC countries. This is another absolutely critical programme of our parent entity, the Islamic Organization for Food Security (“IOFS”) under the leadership of H.E. Mr. Yerlan Baidaulet, the Chair of IFPA Board and DG of IOFS, and we aim to additionally work closely with The Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries (“SMIIC”) to provide an end-to-end one-stop-shop OIC-wide harmonised and seamless approach.”
Posted on

International IFPA participates in the biggest agricultural exhibition «KazAgro/KazFarm-2021»

International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA”) participates in one of the leading exhibitions in the field of the food industry and agricultural equipment “KazAgro / KazFarm-2021”. The event was held with the official support of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan that was attended by more than 1000 delegates-participants from 30 countries on the 14000m2 of exhibition space and was dedicated to animal husbandry, poultry farming and feeding, fruit cultivation and vegetable growing, processing and storage of grain, agricultural machinery and equipment, agrarian science and innovation, and investment projects in the agro-industrial complex.

The success of the exhibition is due to not only the organizational expertise but also the locality: Kazakhstan is located at the crossroads of two continents – Europe and Asia, at the center of the Eurasian continent, therefore it is able to attract exhibitors from both continents and also promote widely into the OIC markets.  The exhibition is an effective platform for the stakeholders of the agricultural sector to meet each other, host animal and machine tool trade shows, hold conferences, and B2B meetings in order to share advanced developments in the agricultural sector and exchange experiences, best agricultural technologies, equipment, and all allied industries on one platform.

IFPA under the leadership of the Director General and CEO, H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan, was represented by its delegation who provided exhibitors and visitors an overview of the key value proposition of IFPA, special services for agri-food exporters and for attracting Islamic investments and financing with penetration into 57 OIC markets.

Director General and CEO, H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan, delivered a keynote address at the conference organised by the Meat Union of Kazakhstan and also later gave several interviews to leading national TV channels and media outlets where he noted that: “such events help us identify areas of opportunity and growth partnership for trade exports and investments to develop new products and/or innovate production processes for better response to OIC market demand. IFPA is aiming to research opportunities and challenges of the OIC agri-food sector to provide sustainable solutions by virtue of Islamic finance, investment funds, and other Islamic investment instruments which will allow importers, exporters, and other ecosystem entities of agri-food markets to directly cooperate with each other and grow the competitiveness of the intra-OIC agri-food trade and the national GDP contribution of each OIC country from this growing sector.”

Posted on

International IFPA and Nur Tobe LLP discuss future cooperation

International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA”) and Nur Tobe Limited Liability Partnership (“Nur Tobe”) agreed to develop cooperation in the sphere of food processing sector.

Nur Tobe is a diversified and multi-project enterprise that incorporates flax-seed oil production, pasta producing plants, bakery manufacturing and possesses approximately 30,000 hectares of agricultural land. It cultivates durum species of wheat commonly used in pasta production which typically are planted in the spring and harvested in the fall, as it is well adapted to the hot and dry conditions surrounding the northern Kazakhstan region where it’s manufactures reside. Nur Tobe aims to apply conventional pressing of flaxseed, which is a simple and low-cost producing process and can obtain higher income with lower investment.

Director of Nur-Tobe, Mr. Timur Bergaliyev during the meeting noted that: “We are committed to continuous innovation and improvement practices in the oilseed, pasta, and bakery production sector to increase sustainability, productivity, and product quality and aim to work very closely with IFPA in its value-added services. Support measures from IFPA’s pool of investors will facilitate this industry development with subsidies to reimburse part of the costs for production.”

The Director General and CEO of IFPA, H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan welcomed satisfaction towards this new impetus given to cooperation and noted that: “close business cooperation between IFPA and Nur Tobe in agri-food trade and investment through the platform of IFPA focusing primarily on the use of Islamic finance, investment funds, Shariah structuring, Sukuk listing, and other Islamic investment instruments will develop the much-needed infrastructure, technology, storage and distribution facilities, thereby catapulting new export opportunities of value-added secondary and tertiary processed food products for entities such as Nur Tobe and others in the sector.”

Posted on

International IFPA and Iman Investment Company discuss cooperation in the electronic trading finance platform

International Islamic Food Processing Association (“IFPA”) and Iman Investment Company (“Iman”) agreed to develop cooperation in the sphere of digitial Islamic trade finance. Iman is one of the major Islamic electronic trading platforms of Uzbekistan that was established to aid the practices and lifestyle of the community and manage their finances with a service that is fast, secure, intuitive and seamless.

During the online meeting Сhief Financial Officer of Iman Mr. Marc Zubov mentioned that: “the Central Asian region has been becoming one of the fastest-growing emerging markets demographically, economically, and digitally, with continuous improvements in digital connectivity and technology readiness, and the demand for digital services is starting to take hold. Facilitating online trade transactions improves efficiency across the entire trade cycle. By embracing technology through e-platforms, we can ensure greater visibility, transparency, accountability and control in the trade of strategic commodities. Iman is very keen to cooperate with IFPA to enhance connections and strategic partnerships in OIC member countries to capitalize on the digitalization of global Islamic trade.”

The Director General and CEO of IFPA, H.E. Sheikh Bilal Khan, remarked: “Central Asia with its strategically advantageous location has immense potential for economic development. Trade in agricultural goods offers a great opportunity for export to both regional and international markets. IFPA is ready to cooperate with Iman to develop Shariah-compliant digital solutions and the Islamic financial products allow intra-OIC entrepreneurs and financial institutions to use customer-first approach and streamlined services of its epic best-of-breed technologies.”