ICCIA`s 33rd Board of Directors Meeting & the 38th General Assembly Meeting
The Islamic Chamber for Commerce, Industry and Agriculture is honored to announce the successful closure of ICCIA’s 33rd Board of Directors meeting and 38th General Assembly Meeting, chaired by H.E. Mr. Abdallah Saleh Kamel, President of ICCIA, on July 17-18, 2022 and hosted by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Muscat – Oman.
In the context of ICCIA’s ongoing efforts to enhance the ties of cooperation among the Islamic world, and with the participation of chambers’ presidents and member states’ representatives, ICCIA 33rd Board of Directors meeting and the 38th General Assembly Meeting have been held for two days to discuss mechanisms of boosting investment and promoting economic growth in OIC’s member states.
During the 33rd Board of Director Meeting, H.E. Mr. Yousef Khalawi has been re-elected as the Secretary-General of ICCIA to a second term for the period (2022-2026). The meeting also tackled ICCIA Accreditation Program which aims at evaluating the performance of the chambers of commerce around the Islamic world. The program contributes to improving the performance of the chambers and applying best practices in the various business sectors in OIC member states.
Upon the conclusion of ICCIA’s 33rd Board of Directors Meeting, H.E. Mr. Abdallah Saleh Kamel, President of ICCIA, inaugurated the 38th General Assembly Meeting. His excellency pointed out to the overall restructuring implemented by the Islamic Chamber during 2021, in his speech, praising all of ICCIA’s activities that is centered around empowering the private sector which plays a massive role in pushing economic development process in the Islamic world.
Eng. Reda Saleh, President of Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry, delivered an opening speech at the 38th General Assembly Meeting of ICCIA, in which he asserted the necessity of supporting and enhancing economic cooperation which is the solid basis of the development and combating the challenges faced by OIC member states on all levels thus, achieving a better future for the next generations.
Dr. Ahmad Kawesa Sengendo, OIC Assistant Secretary General (Economic Affairs) delivered a speech on behalf of H.E. Amb. Hissein Ibrahim Taha, OIC Secretary-General in which he praised the efforts of ICCIA in combating COVID-19 negative economic effects, highlighted the necessity of the full utilization of the opportunities and potentials offered by ICCIA to develop the private sector and enhance its role in the socio-economic development process across the Islamic countries.
Mr. Mohamed Abd El Jabbar El Kohjy, 2nd Vice-Chairman of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry affirmed the necessity of ICCIA’s meetings concerning the pivotal issues in the fields of Agriculture, rural development, and food security in OIC member states. He also, pointed out to the importance of promoting cooperation among Islamic countries and acknowledging the potential investment opportunities as well as, increasing the bilateral trade and developing the infrastructure in different countries. This will incentivize the investment & commercial traffic and increase terms of trade amongst all member states as well as the pivotal role played by the private sector in the Islamic world.
Moreover, he shed light on Islamic Chamber Halal Certification Services, which is considered one of the most crucial projects of ICCIA to contribute in enhancing the role of the chamber in promoting the Halal industry globally.
In this context, ICCIA Workshop on Halal Activities was held on the sidelines of ICCIA’s meetings, and conducted by Eng. Ashraf Al-Tanbouly, CEO of the Islamic Chamber Halal Certification Services, owing to his wide experience in the field of improving businesses and developing Halal industry worldwide.
The workshop tackled the company’s services and accomplishments during the last period and the most important challenges that it faced globally and the potential opportunities in the Halal Industry.
It also discussed the prospects and mechanisms of developing Halal industry and promoting its exports to the West.
Within the framework of ICCIA’s efforts to develop cooperation among its member States, a cooperation agreement has been signed between the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture and the Chad Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture, Minerals and Handicrafts aiming at enhancing the prospects for cooperation between the two parties in various economic fields.
The events were also attended by H.E. Asila Al Samsami Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman, to participate in the investment opportunities program within the side events accompanying the Chamber’s meetings, during which representatives of the member chambers of Commerce presented various promising investment opportunities in their countries.. These presentations were made by the following chambers: Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce- Mauritanian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture- Chad Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture, Mining and Handicrafts- Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry- Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and that`s all in the context of the pursuit of promoting investment across OIC member countries.
In this regard, a presentation was made on the Dhofar Economic Forum, which aspires to support investment and promote multiple investment opportunities in the Sultanate of Oman, in an effort to exchange investment opportunities at various levels, as well as contribute to improving the business environment and achieving economic growth for OIC countries.
Furthermore, the Productive Families and Handicrafts Exhibition was held on the sidelines of ICCIA’s meetings, with the aim of promoting the value of these industries in regional and international markets.
In order to build constructive communication and stronger ties, B2B meetings were held on the sidelines of ICCIA’s 33rd BOD and 38th General Assembly Meetings, with the aim of creating new partnerships in various sectors between the participating chambers of commerce, which contributes to strengthening economic cooperation and boosting economic growth in the countries of the Islamic world.
In recognition of their fruitful cooperation and constructive contribution to the development of the Islamic economy, the Presidents and representatives of the member chambers were honored by His Excellency Mr. Abdullah Saleh Kamel, President of the Islamic Chamber. In addition, Eng. Reda Saleh, President of Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry, was recognized, with thanks and appreciation for his cooperation and generous hosting of the meetings of the Islamic Chamber, over two consecutive days in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
On the sidelines of the events, Oman National Television conducted interviews with the representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce- Mauritanian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Chad Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture, Mining and Handicrafts, Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, and the Islamic Chamber Halal Certification Services, in order to get their views on the importance of ICCIA`s meetings in enhancing cooperation across OIC member countries.
The meetings of the Board of Directors and the General Assembly of the Islamic Chamber come in the context of the Chamber’s belief in the importance of such meetings in opening new horizons for cooperation and synergy among its members, and thus achieving comprehensive and sustainable development throughout the Islamic world.
About the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture:
The Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture is an international institution of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, representing the private sector in the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, A total of fifty-seven countries in addition to the observer members, and other affiliated members of Muslim minorities.The Chamber aims to promote cooperation among its member States in the fields of commerce, industry and information technology, and to promote investment opportunities and joint ventures among member States. Its membership consists of national chambers/ federations / councils of chambers of commerce and industry of the OIC Member States.
The Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture was established on the basis of the decision issued by the seventh session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of Islamic Countries, held in May 1976 in Istanbul, Turkey. The idea was adopted by the first conference of chambers of commerce and industry in the Islamic world, which was also held in Istanbul in October 1977 .
The constitution of the Chamber was then approved by the Second Conference of Chambers of Commerce and Industry held in December 1978 in Karachi, and its main headquarters is located in Karachi, the economic capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
For more information about the Islamic Chamber and its upcoming economic projects, you can visit the website https://dev.iccdglobal.com , or contact the media department via the following e-mail: news@iccia.com.