10.03.2014, Algiers, Algeria – At the 60th Session of the Trans-Saharan Road Liaison Committee (TRLC) in the Algerian capital city of Algiers, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali stated that the Bank attaches great significance to promotion of cooperation amongst countries of North Africa and the Sahel region.

Addressing the session attended by Ministers from Algeria, Tunisia, Chad, Mali, Nigeria and Niger as well as representatives of regional and international financing institutions, Dr. Ali said the IDB Group will continue to support road projects connecting the member countries in the region as a means to achieve inclusive development. “The IDB Group has so far contributed US$ 170 million and plans to increase its contribution for the completion of this great road project which is a major pillar
for development of trade among IDB regional member countries”, he further stated.

The main part of the Trans-Saharan Road Project starts from the city of Lagos in Nigeria in West Africa and then passes through Niger to reach the city of Algiers in Algeria, North Africa on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. All in all, it stretches for 9,000 kilometers inclusive of its off-shoots connecting Mali, Chad and Tunisia, all IDB Member countries.