IDB to Develop Strategic Cooperation with Indonesia

Jeddah (Antara Bali) - The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) is in the process of drafting a US$5 billion financing program to establish strategic cooperation with its member states.

"We had asked for inputs at the meeting with President (Joko Widodo) and Indonesia is interested in the field of infrastructure and agriculture," IDB President, D.R. Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al-Madani said at a press conference after a meeting with President Widodo at the King Faisal Palace in Jeddah on Saturday.

Mohammed expressed hope that the strategic cooperation program would help IDB member states.

As a follow up to his meeting with the Indonesian leader, he added that both sides had agreed to finalize the draft cooperation program.

At the meeting, Mohammed and President Widodo also discussed the role played by Indonesia to improve capacity building among IDB members.

"Actually, Indonesia has done that under the framework of the South-South cooperation. Of course, it will not be difficult for other IDB member states to follow suit," he said.

He further praised Indonesia for its role in the IDB. Indonesia is not only one of IDB's founders, but is also active in various activities involving member states.

At the meeting, he also unveiled a plan to hold a meeting of central bank governors of IDB member states in Jakarta in May 2016 and hoped that President Widodo would open it.

After meeting with the IDB president, President Widodo met with the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Iyad Madani. (WDY)