Global industry leaders to explore China-OIC joint investment opportunities at groundbreaking forum

Find out what investment options are available to Chinese investors in key OIC markets in Africa, Asia and the Middle East

BEIJING: China’s meteoric economic rise and the burgeoning ascendancy of OIC nations in the international landscape are altering global economic power dynamics, and players from both markets are eager to tap the lucrative opportunities arising from stronger bilateral ties.

With a more inclusive foreign policy, including a renewed stance on the Middle East and Africa, Chinese president Xi Jinping has set the motion for greater China-OIC relations – with the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative a central pillar to China’s grand strategy. Yet, questions remain including: what are the considerations for market players from both sides of the divide in capitalizing this flow of opportunities and how can these linkages be created?

In light of this development, the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), private sector arm of Islamic Development Bank Group (IDB), is hosting for the first time ever, a groundbreaking event to connect investors and regulators from Asia, Africa and the Gulf with senior decision-makers of the world’s second-largest economy.

To be held at the Westin Beijing Financial Street Hotel in Beijing on the 22nd March 2016, and with senior-level participation from state-owned funds such as the Silk Road Fund and the China Africa Development Fund, the pioneering China OIC Forum is expected to gather over 300 senior regulators, multilateral institutions and market players with the aim of enhancing partnerships between key industry players and multilateral bodies as well as identify joint investment opportunities.

Why attend?

The opportunity to meet decision-makers from China’s largest funds, banks and state-owned enterprises. High-level discussions focused on opportunities available to Chinese firms and institutions in global project and infrastructure finance deals. Find out what investment options are available to Chinese investors in key OIC markets in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and Establish connections and trade partnerships in line with the 'One Belt, One Road' initiative.

With a stellar speaker lineup, the forum will serve as an excellent platform to meet senior decision-makers from Chinese state-owned firms and development banks as well as leading bankers and corporates from key OIC markets.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).

ICD Profile

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (“ICD”) (http://www.ICD-ps.org) is a multilateral development financial institution and is part of the Islamic Development Bank (“IDB”) Group.

ICD was established in November 1999 to support the economic development of its member countries through the provision of finance for private sector projects, promoting competition and entrepreneurship, providing advisory services to the governments and private companies and encouraging cross border investments.

ICD has an authorized capital of $4 billion. Currently, the shareholders of ICD are the IDB (50%), 52 Islamic countries (30%) five public financial institutions (20%).

ICD fosters sustainable economic growth in its 52 member countries by financing private sector investment, mobilizing capital in the international financial markets, and providing advisory services to business and governments. ICD financing projects are selected on the basis of their contribution to economic development considering factors such as job creation, Islamic finance development, contribution to exports etc.

ICD also provides advisory services to governments and private sector groups on policies designed to encourage the establishment, expansion and modernization of private enterprises, development of capital markets, best management practices and to enhance the role of the market economy. ICD operates to complement the activities of the IDB in member countries and also that of national financial institutions.

In November 2014, Fitch rated ICD ‘AA/F1+’ with a stable outlook. In April 2015, Moody's assigns Aa3/P-1 rating to ICD with a stable outlook. In December 2015, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'AA' rating to ICD with stable outlook.

SOURCE: Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD)