IDB (Islamic Development Bank) keen on greater links with World Bank/IMF (Interview)

In interviews at the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in Prague at the end of September 2000, Islamic Banker raised a number of issues with the IDB's President. IDB was to have side meetings with the finance ministers of the 53 IDB member states to review the priorities of the members as well as to review and discuss the IDB's constructive program of coordination and cooperation with the World Bank. The IDB does not impose uniform regulations or accounting standards, confining its role to offering technical assistance. It welcomes IMF participation in all Islamic banking initiatives and is ready to cooperate in any way. In terms of its function as a development bank, the IDB has strong cooperation with the World Bank as well as other development banks and funds. The Bank has participated in the first HIPCs and will be participating in future ones when IDB member states are involved. Acknowledging that private-sector development in member countries is underdeveloped, the IDB has ju