DAKAR – The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) has sent a high-level delegation to Senegal led by its CEO, Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, to meet the Minister of Economy, Planning & International Cooperation and newly appointed IsDB Governor for Senegal, Amadou Hott.

ITFC has been actively supporting trade development in Senegal since its inception in 2008 with more than $441 million of financing and trade facilitation programs in favor of the West African country and its critical sectors such as energy and agriculture.

The delegation met with several stakeholders during its three-day visit to Dakar. These included the new CEO of Senelec (Senegal Power Company), the management of Coris Bank International Senegal and representatives from the Rapid Entrepreneurship Delegation Fund (DER).

During the visit, Sonbol and the delegation discussed a range of matters including the organization of the Arab-Africa Trade Bridges Program (AATB) Governing Board meeting in Senegal scheduled for later this year. The AATB program, launched in 2016, has made significant strides in promoting intra-OIC trade, and in particular driving trade and promotion opportunities between the Arab and Africa regions.

The delegation also briefed the Governor on the launch of the West Africa SMEs pilot program in Senegal, which will provide lines of financing and advisory services to local banks and capacity building to SMEs. The meetings also focused on the important role that ITFC has played and will continue to play in supporting critical sectors in Senegal, including energy, agriculture, private sector and SMEs. — SG