ID :
62318
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 07:38
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/62318
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MALAYSIA GIVES POINTERS ON DEVELOPMENT AT CFM-OIC MEETING
BY MUIN ABDUL MAJID
DAMASCUS, May 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia firmly believes that the key to any country's prosperity, inclusion and equity is sustained economic growth, based on national unity as well as the development of national capacities,particularly human capital development.
In making this assertion at a meeting of foreign ministers of Muslim
countries here, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said education and
skills were indispensable ingredients for greater productivity of individual
citizens, giving them hope for a better future.
He urged the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to redefine
itself in the context of the needs of the times and determine the best
initiatives and means for defending and advancing common interests.
In his statement at the 36th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers
(CFM) of OIC in the Syrian capital on Saturday, Anifah said: "We must be clear
what these needs are, and be able to generate the necessary political will to
act collectively.
"We must develop a clear concept of our role, and formulate appropriate
plans and strategies. We should also establish the required networking,
linkages and partnerships with other members of the international community."
Anifah noted that the CFM meeting had a long list of agenda items which
included a repetition of resolutions adopted year after year.
"I strongly feel that it's time to take stock of where we are and the
direction headed and thereafter make the necessary assessments and
adjustments," he said.
According to him, the OIC secretary-general and the respective committees
in the 57-nation grouping should be entrusted to redefine the organisations's
priorities and ensure that its limited resources were efficiently utilised
towards implementing what was possible.
"Only through such focused efforts can we look towards achieving tangible
results. We can also get member states to focus on their own strengths and
capabilities which could be utilised to benefit the ummah," he said.
Elaborating on the need for the Muslim community to boost economic prowess
to achieve prosperity and progress, Anifah said Malaysia had focused on the
matter during its chairmanship of the 10th Islamic Summit Conference.
"We strived to reorient the focus of the OIC away from traditional
political issues to also focus on economic issues through practical projects
and approaches.
"This was to boost economic development of OIC members by strengthening
economic links and widening the scope of cooperation among them," he said.
According to Anifah, an example of the Islamic world's progress was the
institutionalisation of the World Islamic Economic Forum which had evolved from
the OIC Business Forum.
He also highlighted the progress achieved by Malaysia's Islamic banking
industry in the midst of the current global financial downturn, recording
double digit growth over the last eight years, with an average annual growth
rate of 20 per cent in terms of assets.
There are now 36 financial institutions offering Islamic banking services
in Malaysia, including 17 full-fledged Islamic banks.
In addition, Malaysia remains the largest global issuer of sukuk (bonds),
accounting for 61.4 per cent of total global outstanding sukuk as of end-2008.
Its Islamic fund management industry is currently the largest in the world in
terms of the number of funds and second in terms of assets under management.
"Malaysia also has the distinction of being the first country in the world
to have a full-fledged Islamic financial system operating in parallel to the
conventional banking system," said Anifah.
Turning to education, the minister said Malaysia would be hosting the Fifth
Islamic Conference of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ministers in
Kuala Lumpur in 2010.
"I wish to extend an invitation to all OIC member states to participate in
this conference which is intended to promote cooperation among our higher
education system in our endeavour to enhance our capabilities in science and
technology," he said.
DAMASCUS, May 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia firmly believes that the key to any country's prosperity, inclusion and equity is sustained economic growth, based on national unity as well as the development of national capacities,particularly human capital development.
In making this assertion at a meeting of foreign ministers of Muslim
countries here, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said education and
skills were indispensable ingredients for greater productivity of individual
citizens, giving them hope for a better future.
He urged the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to redefine
itself in the context of the needs of the times and determine the best
initiatives and means for defending and advancing common interests.
In his statement at the 36th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers
(CFM) of OIC in the Syrian capital on Saturday, Anifah said: "We must be clear
what these needs are, and be able to generate the necessary political will to
act collectively.
"We must develop a clear concept of our role, and formulate appropriate
plans and strategies. We should also establish the required networking,
linkages and partnerships with other members of the international community."
Anifah noted that the CFM meeting had a long list of agenda items which
included a repetition of resolutions adopted year after year.
"I strongly feel that it's time to take stock of where we are and the
direction headed and thereafter make the necessary assessments and
adjustments," he said.
According to him, the OIC secretary-general and the respective committees
in the 57-nation grouping should be entrusted to redefine the organisations's
priorities and ensure that its limited resources were efficiently utilised
towards implementing what was possible.
"Only through such focused efforts can we look towards achieving tangible
results. We can also get member states to focus on their own strengths and
capabilities which could be utilised to benefit the ummah," he said.
Elaborating on the need for the Muslim community to boost economic prowess
to achieve prosperity and progress, Anifah said Malaysia had focused on the
matter during its chairmanship of the 10th Islamic Summit Conference.
"We strived to reorient the focus of the OIC away from traditional
political issues to also focus on economic issues through practical projects
and approaches.
"This was to boost economic development of OIC members by strengthening
economic links and widening the scope of cooperation among them," he said.
According to Anifah, an example of the Islamic world's progress was the
institutionalisation of the World Islamic Economic Forum which had evolved from
the OIC Business Forum.
He also highlighted the progress achieved by Malaysia's Islamic banking
industry in the midst of the current global financial downturn, recording
double digit growth over the last eight years, with an average annual growth
rate of 20 per cent in terms of assets.
There are now 36 financial institutions offering Islamic banking services
in Malaysia, including 17 full-fledged Islamic banks.
In addition, Malaysia remains the largest global issuer of sukuk (bonds),
accounting for 61.4 per cent of total global outstanding sukuk as of end-2008.
Its Islamic fund management industry is currently the largest in the world in
terms of the number of funds and second in terms of assets under management.
"Malaysia also has the distinction of being the first country in the world
to have a full-fledged Islamic financial system operating in parallel to the
conventional banking system," said Anifah.
Turning to education, the minister said Malaysia would be hosting the Fifth
Islamic Conference of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ministers in
Kuala Lumpur in 2010.
"I wish to extend an invitation to all OIC member states to participate in
this conference which is intended to promote cooperation among our higher
education system in our endeavour to enhance our capabilities in science and
technology," he said.
