African-Arab initiative to support developing countries

THE INTERNATIONAL Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and its partners have unveiled the Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Programme to support African and Arab countries in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

AATB has the mandate of driving regional economic integration between the African and Arab regions and strengthening SME export development across key sectors.

With the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors prioritised, immediate measures include supporting the network of laboratories in West Africa with the supply of COVID-19 testing kits, lab equipment and personal -protection equipment (PPE) for medical and para medical staff.

In tandem with material and financial aid, African laboratories will be able to access critical knowhow through a range of capacity building and knowledge sharing programmes including online trainings, protocols and standard operating procedures to diagnose and manage the coronavirus.