ITFC’s Trade Finance Approvals Exceed $100 Billion

The total value of trade finance approvals by the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has exceeded $100 billion since it began operations in 2008. The financing supports trade and economic development in member countries, with more than one-third directed toward least-developed countries and markets facing difficulties accessing trade finance.
 ITFC is working to expand financing, increase private-sector participation, and support small and medium-sized enterprises and exporters through programs including Arab-Africa Trade Bridges and Aid for Trade Initiative for the Arab States. It also supports initiatives to develop agricultural value chains and facilitate access for products to international markets.
 As part of these efforts, the corporation, in cooperation with the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, organized an investment and trade forum earlier this week in Khartoum, focusing on value chains for priority commodities. The event brought together representatives of government entities, financial institutions, the private sector and small-scale producers.
 The two-day forum explored investment and trade opportunities in priority commodities, financing and marketing challenges, and mechanisms to improve small-scale producers’ access to finance and markets, helping enhance the competitiveness of Sudanese products.