ITFC holds training program in Turkey for top officials of trade promotion organizations

Organized on behalf of the ITFC by the Islamic Development Bank in coordination with the Export Promotion Center of Turkey (IGEME), the on-job training program was conducted to familiarize participants with the organizational structure of IGEME, its activities and roles, and how it operates in relationship to other government and semi-government institutions that are also responsible for promoting trade and assisting small and medium business enterprises (SMEs).

Emphasizing the need for such training programs, ITFC CEO Dr. Waleed Al Wohaib said:

"The ITFC takes the initiative of conducting on-job training programs in many countries to enhance the capabilities of trade promotion officials and ensure that trade initiatives are effectively implemented to better achieve the overarching aim of the IDB, which is to promote and finance trade on order to bring about economic benefits that translate into better living standards for people in OIC member countries."

The organizations selected for the training included the Saudi Export Development Center (SEDC), Dubai Export Development Corporation (DEDC), Palestine Trade Center (PALTRADE), Egypt Export Development Fund (EEPC), Iran Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), Albanian Investment and Business Agency (ALBINVEST), and Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

The training program was held in Ankara for four days, before moving on to the IGEME Center Istanbul for the final day. Presentations were made about specific trade promotion activities such as organizing trade missions, participation in international fairs, and conducting market research studies. As part of the training, the participants visited nine organizations, including exporters' unions, TOBB and Eximbank, where they were briefed about activities related to foreign trade promotion and SMEs support programs.

Pointing out an additional benefit, Dr. Al Wohaib concluded by saying, "ITFC training programs such as this are an excellent opportunity for networking, making new contacts and enhancing communications between trade promotion organizations and chambers of commerce, which leads to a desired increase in the volume of intra-trade between OIC member countries."