Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), an arm of the Islamic Development Bank Group, has recently discussed areas of cooperation and the future of trade with Roberto Azevêdo, Director General, World Trade Organization (WTO) on the sidelines of the WTO Public Forum held in Geneva, Switzerland. These areas of cooperation include SMEs' development, emphasizing on ITFC's leading role in the implementation of regional integration programs (AfTIAS) and inter-regional trade development (Arab Africa Trade Bridge Program and Special Program for Central Asia - SPCA); and ITFC Trade Development programs that contribute to the achievement of the trade-related SDGs in IDB-member countries. In addition to the potential future cooperation in ITFC/IDBG, trade data and contribution in WTO reports and databases, and views on SME's development, and partnering in initiatives for SMEs promotion in member countries were also hashed out. After the meeting, Eng. Hani Sonbol said "I can confidently say that this has been a very fruitful meeting that resulted in shaping many promising future joint projects between our two entities."
