International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) launches landmark Trade Connect Central Asia+ (TCCA+) Program at the 3rd Tashkent International Investment Forum

TCCA+ is a pioneering regional economic cooperation initiative spanning Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

The Program aims to contribute, through trade and investment development, to the achievement of inclusive economic growth, regional economic cooperation and promote trade, among the OIC member countries in the Central Asia OIC member countries and Azerbaijan, and with the rest of the world

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, May 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), member of Islamic Development Bank Group, is delighted to announce the launch of its newest flagship Trade Connect Central Asia+ (TCCA+) Program at the 3^rd Tashkent International Investment Forum.

The aim of the Program is to facilitate economic growth and regional economic integration amongst the six Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries in the Central Asia region, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan plus Azerbaijan.

The region boasts one of the world's largest energy resources and significant production capacities in energy and agriculture. However, current regional trade among these markets has not yet reached its full potential. With a focus on increasing regional trade and diversifying the export base towards higher value-added products, the TCCA+ Program is expected to contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic growth, as well as regional economic integration among the six targeted countries. This will be achieved by boosting export and investment capacities, enhancing competitiveness, and promoting trade initiatives and regional value chains, thus unlocking intra-regional trade and investment potential. Additionally, the Program seeks to promote increased trade among the OIC member countries in the region and with the rest of the world.

The TCCA+ Program was unveiled during a prestigious roundtable event, in the presence of esteemed ministerial representatives from beneficiary countries. Eng, Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO ITFC and Acting CEO of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) was joined by esteemed dignitaries including H.E. Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan; H.E. Serik Zhumangarin, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan; Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan; Serdar Jorayev, Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan; Solehzoda Ashurboy, First Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan; Dr. Rupa Chanda, Director of the Trade, Investment and Innovation Division of ESCAP; Ibrahim Shoukry, Head of IsDB Regional Hub Almaty, Kazakhstan; and Sanzharbek Bolotov, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic. Simon Quijano-Evans, Chief Economist at Gencorp Capital, moderated the event, attended by multilateral financial institutions, international development agencies, international and regional organisations and agencies active in the region, and senior representatives from key public and private institutions in OIC member countries.