Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 10 January 2017: The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group has affirmed its commitment to support the Government of the Republic of Niger in ensuring food security and the development of energy and transport sectors of the country.

This was disclosed during a discussion between the President of the Republic of Niger, H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou and the IsDB Group President, Dr. Bandar Hajjar.

During his official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, President Issoufou also paid a visit to the IsDB Group headquaters in Jeddah on Tuesday to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Niger and the IsDB Group.

In his welcome statement, Dr. Bandar Hajjar commended the President of the Republic of Niger for his efforts to diversify the country’s economy through business reforms.

Since 1974 when the Republic of Niger joind the IsDB, the Bank Group has provided US $760 million worth of financing to the country.

Dr. Hajjar assured President Issoufou that the IsDB Group will work on the key proposals submitted by the Government of the Republic of Niger for the socio-economic development of the country.

In his response, H.E. President Mahamadou Issoufou thanked the IsDB Group for the support it has extended to the country over the years. “The priority of my government is in food security, education, healthcare and water supply. Niger is also ready to provide a platform for the development of Islamic finance in Sub-Saharan Africa,” he stated.

President Issoufou then called on the IsDB Group to support the country in the development of Waqf (endowment) in order to further spearhead poverty eradication efforts in his country.