Jeddah KSA-06.04.2013- The Republic of Mali is in need of urgent support for economic development more than any time in history according to the Prime Minister of the country, Mr Diango Cissoko. The Prime Minister was speaking at the Headquarters of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in Jeddah on a one day visit, ahead of the International Conference on Mali scheduled to take place on 15th May in Brussels. Mr Cissoko drew attention to the current political crises in Mali which calls for strong
economic intervention from international development partners.
The Prime Minister stated that “institutions like the IDB and all development partners should come together to support Mali”. “Only when we are supported by our partners that we will be able to revive the economy of the country, so that Mali will become the country we knew”. He added.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the IDB Group, Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali stated that his institution supports laudable efforts that will restore harmony among the Malian society. “The IDB will actively participate in the Brussels meeting and cooperate with your country and other institutions for the socio-economic development of Mali”, President Ali pledged.
Since its inception in 1975, the IDB Group has approved $782 million for development projects in Mali, and has initiated a Member Country Partnership Strategy (MCPS) aimed at Mali’s economic development and regional integration. The MCPS is IDB’s economic plan for its member countries aimed at supporting the government and the private sector, as well as promoting regional integration.