Qatar Chamber, IOFS review enhancing cooperation ties

01-02-2023

Qatar Chamber (QC) hosted a meeting with a delegation representing the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS),  one of the specialized institutions of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, to review enhancing cooperation relations in the field of food security and promoting inter-trade between Islamic countries.

The meeting also touched on an introduction of the organization, its agenda, and activities, as well as an invitation to the Qatari private sector to take part in its events and activities.

QC Board Member and Chair of Food Security and Environment Committee  Mohamed bin Ahmed Al-Obaidli received the delegation which featured Dr Masoud Jarallah Al-Marri, Chairman of the IOFS Executive Council, and Prof. Yerlan A. Baidaulet, the Director General.

Speaking at the meeting, Mohamed Al-Obaidli underscored the private sector’s interest to invest in food security projects and contribute to raising the self-sufficiency of goods in the state, stressing that Qatar’s advanced infrastructure helped in enabling the private sector to play a greater role in this sector.

Al-Obaidli also affirmed that Qatari investors are keen to invest in Islamic countries, especially those offer guarantees, incentives and legislation that attract and protect investments.

For his part, Dr Masoud Jarallah Al-Marri, thanked the Chamber for hosting the meetings, noting that the IOFS was established in 2016 and is comprised of 35 member countries. It aims to enhance cooperation between member states in many areas including agriculture and food security, he said adding that it is looking forward to a greater role for the private sector in this vital sector.

Al-Marri also mentioned the International Islamic Food Processing Association (IFPA) which is affiliated with the IOFS and based in Dubai, UAE, noting that it aims to diversify and strengthen food supply chains among the OIC’s member states.

Prof. Yerlan A. Baidaulet underscored Qatar’s presidency of the IOFS Executive Council will enhance the growth of the food security sector, which gains great importance from the state.

Baidaulet gave an overview of the International Islamic Food Processing Association (IFPA), citing it was established in 2021 under the auspices of the IOFS with the aim to facilitate private-sector-led trade and investment across all agri-food ecosystem players for sustainable development of food security among OIC member states.

“IFPA aims to contribute to achieving food security for the OIC member countries through close cooperation with companies from the private sector and is also working to assist member states in building food processing capabilities and expanding trade opportunities,” he noted.

He further said that IFPA has 32 active members from chambers of commerce food unions and companies operating in agri-food sector, inviting Qatari companies to join the association that opens new vistas for great market in several Islamic countries that own enormous potential and capabilities in food security fields.

Attendees agreed that Qatar Chamber will host a joint seminar with IOFS representatives and Qatari private sector to learn more about its activities and how maximize mutul bendfit in all areas of the IOFS work.