| Description |
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 Dhul Q'adah 1393H, corresponding to December 1973. The Inaugural Meeting of the Board of Governors took place in Rajab 1395H, corresponding to July 1975, and the Bank was formally opened on 15 Shawwal 1395H corresponding to 20 October 1975.
Purpose
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.
Functions
The functions of the Bank are to participate in equity capital and grant loans for productive projects and enterprises besides providing financial assistance to member countries in other forms for economic and social development. The Bank is also required to establish and operate special funds for specific purposes including a fund for assistance to Muslim communities in non-member countries, in addition to setting up trust funds. The Bank is authorized to accept deposits and to mobilize financial resources through Shari'ah compatible modes. It is also charged with the responsibility of assisting in the promotion of foreign trade especially in capital goods, among member countries; providing technical assistance to member countries; and extending training facilities for personnel engaged in development activities in Muslim countries to conform to the Shari'ah.
Membership
The present membership of the Bank consists of 56 countries. The basic condition for membership is that the prospective member country should be a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), pay its contribution to the capital of the Bank and be willing to accept such terms and conditions as may be decided upon by the IDB Board of Governors.
Capital
As per the decision of the 38th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors, the authorized capital of the IDB was raised to ID 100 billion and its subscribed capital to ID 50 billion.
Head Office and Regional Offices
The Bank's principal office is in Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Four regional offices were opened in Rabat, Morocco (1994), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1994). Almaty, Kazakhstan (1997), and Dakar, Senegal (2008). It also has two country gateway offices in Ankara, Turkey and Jakarta (Indonesia) and field representatives in 14 member countries (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Iran, Mali, Pakistan, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Mauritania and Libya).
Financial Year
The Bank's financial year is the lunar Hijra Year.
Language
The official language of the Bank is Arabic, but English and French are additionally used as working languages. |