The Board of the CICA Business Council conducted a productive online meeting, organized jointly by the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken” and the CICA Secretariat. The meeting centred on essential deliberations that contribute to the Council's continuous progress.
The primary objective of this meeting was to address preparations for the upcoming Sixth Plenary Session of the CICA Business Council, alongside discussions about the Eighth CICA Business Forum. Additionally, the agenda included considerations of inter-sessional activities of the CICA Business Council and the framework set for the Seventh Plenary Session and Business Forum scheduled for 2024.
During the meeting, CICA Secretary GeneralAmbassador Kairat Sarybay provided the Board members with insights into the recent developments within CICA. Notably, he shared the outcomes of the Sixth CICA Summit held in October 2023 in Astana. These outcomes encompassed pivotal decisions and initiatives that significantly impact CICA's ongoing growth trajectory.
Ambassador Sarybay also highlighted the noteworthy initiative of the Kazakh Chairmanship, aimed at fostering collaboration between CICA and the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), headquartered in Astana. This strategic collaboration addresses pressing food security concerns. Ambassador Sarybay suggested inviting the IOFS as a guest speaker to the upcoming Sixth Session of the CICA Business Council, scheduled for 2023.
The Board members engaged in thoughtful discussions, exploring the prospect of inviting experts from esteemed institutions such as the Eurasian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. These institutions' extensive experience in financing projects related to renewable energy, green financing, and food security across Asia is poised to enrich discussions during the CICA Business Council session. Furthermore, insights from these experts may offer valuable ideas for the operational activities of the recently launched CICA Fund.
Recognizing the pivotal role of women's participation in business activities for societal development and security, the meeting participants collectively agreed on inviting a representative from UN Women in Kazakhstan to share their insights.
Another noteworthy initiative came from the Russian Federation, proposing the inclusion of successful SMEs in Business Council sessions for in-depth case studies.
The meeting of the Board of the CICA Business Council underscores the commitment of its members to fostering growth, collaboration, and progressive dialogue within the CICA framework.
