DUSHANBE, March 13, Asia-Plus  -- Tajik President Emomali Rahmon arrived in Senegal’s capital, Dakar Wednesday evening atop a high-ranking delegation to attend the 11th summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). 

The same day, President Rahmon held talks in Dakar with Dr. Muhammad Ali, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). 

According to presidential press service, during the meeting, President Rahmon highly appraised a level of cooperation between Tajikistan and the IDB and noted that Tajikistan is currently drawing $122.15 million of loan and grant funds to promote development of its economy.   

During the meeting it was noted that the IDB plans to allocate further 65 million Islamic dinars for continuing work in Tajikistan. 

The Islamic dinar, which is sometimes referred as Gold dinar or i-Dinar is a bullion gold coin made from 4.25 grams of 22-karat gold with historical Islamic significance. The Islamic gold dinar conversion rate to other currencies is based on gold spot price.  

In the course of the talks, the two underlined the necessity of establishment of the IBR investment holding company in Tajikistan and increase in amounts of provided loans and grants, presidential press service said.

The sides also reached agreements on the supply of mineral fertilizers to Tajikistan and expansion of education and health cooperation.  

Expressing gratitude to the IDB head for attention to the issues related to enhancement of socioeconomic situation in Tajikistan, President Rahmon invited him to visit Tajikistan again.  

The meeting resulted in signing of an agreement on allocating $13.7 million for implementation of the second phase of the Danghara steppe irrigation support project.  

The Islamic Development Bank is an international financial institution established in pursuance of the Declaration of Intent issued by the Conference of Finance Ministers of Muslim Countries held in Jeddah in December 1973.  The Inaugural Meeting of the Board of Governors took place in July 1975, and the Bank was formally opened on October 20, 1975.

The purpose of the Bank is to foster the economic development and social progress of member countries and Muslim communities individually as well as jointly in accordance with the principles of Shari''ah i.e., Islamic Law.