up capital of $1 billion, to spur intra-IDB trade. Malaysia also wants the IDB to launch a $10 billion Islamic bond fund for infrastructure in another effort to help close the gap between rich and poor Muslim countries. Other issues to be considered are the admission of a new member, Nigeria, and the election of the IDB president. The present chief, Ahmed Muhammad Ali, completes his five-year term this year. About 2,400 delegates, including finance ministers, central bank chiefs and Islamic bankers and government officials, will attend the meeting, held in Malaysia for the first time since 1978.
