Jeddah,2.8.08: The Islamic Development Bank announced today that Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has been awarded the 1428H Islamic Solidarity Prize for the Promotion of Trade among OIC Member States.

The Prize will be awarded to the winners during the Annual COMCEC Meeting to be held in Istanbul from 22 – 24 October 2008.

In a statement on this occasion, H.E. Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, President of the Islamic Development Bank congratulated the winner on its notable accomplishment. He commended it for the valuable contribution to the promotion of trade among OIC Member States.

IDB has established this Prize in the year 1428H with the aim to Recognize, appreciate and encourage the activities and efforts contributing to the promotion and increase of trade among member countries as well as Celebrate the outstanding success of individuals/institutions in the said activities.

The Selection Committee, chaired by H.E. Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, a renowned personality and ex Minister of Investment of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, was composed of eminent personalities and business experts from outside the Bank. The Committee met at the IDB headquarters on Saturday 24th Jumad Thani 1429H (28th June 2008) and issued the following statement:

In view of its dedication to helping Malaysian companies enter and succeed in exporting to the international marketplace; considering its functions as a focal point for Malaysian exporters and foreign importers to source for not only trade related information, but also market research intelligence and business matching advice; appreciating its positive impact on the promotion of intra-trade amongst Islamic countries; taking into account its active involvement in non-export initiatives, reaching out to various countries to offer assistance and training in an effort to build stronger ties with other nations; recognizing its efforts in sharing the experience of Malaysia in development of export with other sister countries;

The Selection Committee unanimously decides to award the 1428H Islamic Solidarity Prize for the Promotion of Trade among OIC Member States to Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).