From September 26 to September 28, 2023, the Hilton Istanbul Maslak hosted a groundbreaking event that brought together more than 80 distinguished attendees to explore the pivotal role of information sharing and business intelligence in supporting trade and investment decisions in the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Organized as a capacity-building program for users of the OIC Business Intelligence Centre (OBIC), the event was co-organized by the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) (https://ICIEC.IsDB.org/), the insurance arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, the IsDB’s Cooperation and Capacity Development (CCD) Department, and the IsDB Regional Hub Istanbul. Additionally, the event was co-sponsored by The Participation Banks Association of Türkiye (TKBB) and Turk Eximbank.
The event included an opening session featuring insightful speeches by key figures in the industry:
Mr. Oussama KAISSI, the CEO of ICIEC, emphasized the significance of digitalization and automation for fostering development through trade and investment. He highlighted the opportunities presented by data abundance and technological advancements and stressed the importance of building robust information-sharing platforms.
Dr. Walid Abdelwahab, Director of IsDB Regional Hub Türkiye, shared his perspective on the importance of information sharing and digital transformation in supporting economic growth within the OIC member states.
The Participation Banks Association of Türkiye (TKBB) and the COMCEC Coordination Office (CCO) also provided valuable insights into the event’s overarching theme.
One of the highlights of the event was a presentation and video showcasing the OIC Business Intelligence Centre (OBIC), shedding light on its mission to provide valuable information and analysis for enhancing economic cooperation and development among OIC member states.
A panel discussion on “How Digitalization and Business Intelligence Can Support Trade and Investment” further delved into the transformative potential of digitalization for economic growth and investment promotion. Presentations by ICIEC, ICCIA, and CCD/IsDB offered comprehensive insights into the fundamentals of business intelligence, digital transformation roadmaps for SMEs, and the digitalization of investment promotion services.
The second day of the event explored the theme of “Credit Information and the Importance of Information Sharing.” Presentations by ICIEC, Creditreform, and Afrieximbank highlighted the significance of credit reporting, information sharing, and digital IDs in fostering financial inclusion and trade promotion.
On the third day, the focus shifted to the “Efficient Utilization of Statistical Sources of Information on Credit, Trade, and Investment.” Presentations by SESRIC and ICDT introduced attendees to the collection and analysis of investment data, investment outlook in OIC member countries, and the efficient utilization of statistical resources for trade and investment information.
The event served as a platform for fruitful discussions, knowledge exchange, and the forging of valuable partnerships among attendees. It underscored the joint efforts of ICIEC, RH Türkiye, and IsDB’s Cooperation and Capacity Development Department in driving economic growth, promoting financial inclusion, and enhancing trade and investment decisions in the OIC member states.
The event’s proceedings are expected to translate into tangible actions that contribute to the economic development of OIC member countries, further strengthening their role on the global economic stage.
As a testament to the event’s success, Mr. Oussama KAISSI, the CEO of ICIEC emphasized, “Our collaborative efforts hold the transformative potential to usher in a new era in which information sharing and business intelligence will play a pivotal role in bolstering trade and investment within the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This event stands as a defining milestone in our relentless journey, one where our unwavering commitment lies in nurturing economic cooperation and igniting the flames of sustainable development throughout the region.”
Dr. Walid Abdelwahab, Director of IsDB Regional Hub Türkiye, elaborated “The partnership between IsDB and ICIEC in organizing this workshop will help to foster knowledge sharing and capacity development among OIC member countries in utilizing Business Intelligence for trade and investment decisions. By equipping participants with Business intelligence skills, IsDB Group contributes to building skills to drive economic growth and attract investments that will, in turn, lead to job creation, technology transfer, and further overall economic development of the IsDB Member Countries and the broader Islamic finance industry,”.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC).
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About IsDB:
Rated AAA by the major rating agencies, the Islamic Development Bank is a multilateral development bank that has been working for over 48 years to improve the lives of the communities it serves by delivering impact at scale. The Bank brings together 57 member Countries across four continents, touching the lives of 1 in 5 of the world population. Its mission is to equip people to drive their own economic and social progress at scale, putting the infrastructure in place enabling them to fulfil their potential. Headquartered in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, IsDB has regional hubs and centers of excellence in 11 of its Member Countries. Over the years, the Bank has evolved from a single entity into a group comprising five entities: Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) tasked with research and training, the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC). For more information: https://apo-opa.info/3QczLXG
About The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC):
ICIEC commenced operations in 1994 to strengthen economic relations between OIC Member States, promote intra-OIC trade, and facilitate investments by providing risk mitigation tools and financial solutions. The Corporation is uniquely the only Islamic multilateral insurer in the world. It has delivered a comprehensive suite of solutions and services to the public and private in its 49 Member States and globally. The products’ suite includes Documentary Credit Insurance Cover, Credit Insurance Cover, Bank Master Policy, Non-Honouring of Sovereign Financial Obligations, and Investment Insurance Products. ICIEC has maintained for 15 consecutive years an “Aa3” insurance financial strength credit rating from Moody’s, ranking the Corporation among the top of the Credit and Political Risk Insurance (CPRI) Industry. ICIEC’s resilience is underpinned by its sound underwriting, reinsurance, and risk management policies. Cumulatively, ICIEC has insured more than US$ 100bn in trade and investment directed to specific sectors – energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture. For more information, visit: http://ICIEC.IsDB.org
About OIC Business Intelligence Center (OBIC):
ICIEC created the OBIC initiative to provide OIC Member States with a platform for sharing business information, compiling and coordinating data, and offering advisory services and capacity development programmes. It aims to accelerate trade with and investment into OIC states by providing businesses with a detailed picture of OIC business performance and creditworthiness. The OBIC’s four strategic pillars support OIC States in developing and enhancing their credit reporting ecosystems, building a comprehensive OIC-wide business intelligence infrastructure, developing OIC States’ capacity related to credit reporting, and catalyzing a sustainable business model for itself.