OIC head begins Caribbean tour in Guyana today
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Iyad Madani speaking in New York at a UN reception on Wednesday 
(Ray Chickrie photo)
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Iyad Madani speaking in New York at a UN reception on Wednesday (Ray Chickrie photo)

By Ray Chickrie

THE Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Iyad Madani, will today begin his first tour of the two OIC member states in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) — Guyana and Suriname.On Wednesday, he will arrive in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. Accompanying the OIC chief is Agshin Mehdiyev, an Azerbaijan diplomat who is the OIC Ambassador to the United Nations.

Madani, in an invited comment, said his visit to Guyana and Suriname is part of his routine tour of OIC member states. One of the goals of his visit is to assess Guyana’s and Suriname’s expectations of the OIC. Madani will share with the leaders of these countries some of the products and support that the OIC can offer them.
He also wants to “engage Guyana and Suriname” in stronger OIC ties.

Madani will hold meetings with President Desi Bouterse of Suriname and President David Granger of Guyana. Foreign Minister Niermala Badrising of Suriname will also hold discussions with Madani. The OIC head would, as well, meet with civil society in both countries.

Badrising said Suriname is excited to welcome the OIC head, especially at a time when ties between Suriname and the OIC have significantly expanded.

During the visit, various agreements between Suriname and the OIC in the fields of education, economics, and trade will be signed. Agreements to commence Islamic banking in Suriname will also be finalised.

Badrising said the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB), an organ of the OIC, is supporting the economic stabilisation and recovery policies of Suriname with a soft loan of approximately US$1.8 billion. Of this money, her government is planning to invest US$1.278 billion in five sectors – agriculture, healthcare, finance, transportation and infrastructure, and tourism.

This week in Paramaribo, Bouterse praised the OIC. He said “Suriname has a golden opportunity” with the US$1.8 billion in financing that the ISDB has offered his country.

While in New York to address the 71st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on behalf of Bouterse, Badrising held bilateral meetings with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, two OIC members, in her quest to bring foreign direct investment to Suriname. She also had informal talks with Madani during an OIC reception in New York. No officials from Guyana attended that reception.

The OIC has, for decades, closed its door to new membership. Today, many countries are knocking at the door of the OIC to gain membership. The following countries are waiting to join the OIC: Brazil (since 2011), South Africa (since 2002), and Sri Lanka (since 2008); the Philippines (since 2008), Serbia (Since 2008), Nepal (since 2008), Democratic Republic of Congo (since 2008), Republic of Central Africa (since 2002), Mauritius (since 2002) and Kenya (since 2011).

Like Guyana and Suriname, Muslim minority states Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Togo, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, and Uganda are members of the OIC.
(Caribbean News Now)

 

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