Conakry, Guinea 25 January 2017: In a grand ceremony led by the President of the Republic of Guinea Mr. Alpha Conde, and the Vice President of Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Dr. Mansur Muhtar, the Mafranye Health Centre was inaugurated on Wednesday.

IsDB built the health centre through the Fael Khair programme, from a donation made by the late King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. During the Ebola crisis that affected some IsDB member countries including Guinea, Sierra Leone and Mali, the late King Abdullah donated US $35 million through the IsDB in order to help strengthen the health systems of the affected countries.

“Let me seize this opportunity to express, on behalf of the Islamic Development Bank Group our profound gratitude to the family of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Late King Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz for his generous donation in support to the fight against the deadly Ebola Epidemic that hit West Africa in 2014-2015.” “This generous contribution is part of the policy of solidarity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whose contributions have benefited all regions of the world, without
distinction, be it national, racial or religious. I pray to the Almighty Allah to grant His infinite mercy to late King Abdullah,” said Dr. Mansur Muhtar during the inauguration.

The Maferinya Health Centre is one of the four centres built by IsDB in Guinea to help various communities in the country, should an epidemic similar to Ebola emerge.

Ahead of the visit for the inauguration of the Maferinyah Health Centre, the Vice President of IsDB, Dr. Mansur Muhtar had an audience with President Alpha Conde at the presidential place in Conakry.

President Alpha Conde expressed the gratitude of his government to IsDB for its continued support. He told Dr. Muhtar that IsDB Group is a major partner for Guinea, and is counting on its support in the economic reforms he has initiated through the Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES).

President Conde stated that the key focus of his reforms are in agriculture, education for employment and tapping into the mineral resources of Guinea. According to President Conde, Guinea has half of the world reserve of bauxite, and his government will work with partners to ensure that such mineral resources bring benefit to Guinea. He expressed his readiness to work with the IsDB Group in order to diversify the economy of the country.

In his response, Vice President Mansur Muhtar stated that the purpose of his visit to Guinea was to convey the goodwill message of IsDB President, Dr. Bandar Hajjar, and to discuss with the government of Guinea on ways of strengthening the cooperation between the IsDB Group and the country.

He informed President Conde that the reforms his government has initiated through the National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES) align with the 10-year Strategic Framework of IsDB.

He assured President Conde that IsDB is ready to support Guinea in providing financing, sharing knowledge, building capacity and promoting regional cooperation and integration. He called on President Alpha Conde to take advantage of the financing opportunities provided by IsDB through its private sector entities.

Notes to Editor:
For information and media enquiries about this story contact:
Muhammad Jameel Yusha'u
Senior Communication Specialist
Email: myushau@isdb.org
Twitter: @jameelyushau
Tel: +966126466492