IsDB Allocates $368.98 Million for Development Projects in Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Suriname

IsDB Allocates $368.98 Million for Development Projects in Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Suriname
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IsDB Allocates $368.98 Million for Development Projects in Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Suriname

IsDB Allocates $368.98 Million for Development Projects in Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Suriname

The Islamic Development Bank's (IsDB) Board of Executive Directors approved the allocation of $368.98 million for new development projects in several member countries.

In its 356th regular meeting held on Saturday, chaired by IsDB Chairman Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, the Board approved funding for development projects in Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Suriname.

These strategic projects aim to boost sustainable development and socio-economic growth in the member countries.

Al Jasser emphasized the importance of the approved projects and their transformative impacts on improving sectors such as transportation, health, education, and energy in the targeted countries.

The IsDB allocated $165 million for constructing schools in Türkiye following the devastating 2023 earthquakes. This initiative will involve the construction of 33 schools and the addition of 808 classrooms, benefiting 24,640 students annually and bolstering resilience for over 319,206 individuals against disasters.

Suriname will benefit from $47.68 million for a project to expand electricity transmission and distribution systems in the country.

The project aims to strengthen electricity supply capacity and efficiency by increasing overall capacity and enhancing system performance. It will meet growing national electricity demand, ensure a more reliable energy supply, and facilitate the connection of 4,350 new homes and 470 new commercial units.

Turkmenistan will boost access to high-quality cancer treatment services with $156.3 million in funding from the IsDB.

The project includes constructing three cancer treatment centers and training healthcare providers. It aims to increase daily inpatient services by 33% and improve cancer treatment for 11,750 patients annually, significantly reducing cancer incidence and mortality rates.



New Saudi System to Sustain Insurance Funds, Enhance Job Market Efficiency

Part of the job fair at the Chamber of Commerce in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Part of the job fair at the Chamber of Commerce in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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New Saudi System to Sustain Insurance Funds, Enhance Job Market Efficiency

Part of the job fair at the Chamber of Commerce in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Part of the job fair at the Chamber of Commerce in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, led by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, approved a new social insurance system for new workers during its session on Tuesday.
This move aims to boost labor market efficiency, ensure the sustainability of insurance funds, and support local talent stability. The Kingdom is gearing up for large-scale economic projects that require ongoing updates to meet national goals.
The government aims for a sustainable and fair retirement system, improving laws and regulations.
Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim previously highlighted Saudi Arabia’s proactive approach to managing rising workforce rates and their retirement implications.
Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi affirmed that the Cabinet’s decision enhances retirement system efficiency and provides insurance protection for participants and their families, adapting to labor market changes.
Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan stressed the decision's goal to secure insurance coverage for participants while ensuring the sustainability of insurance funds and protecting beneficiaries' rights, thereby promoting economic and social stability.
Moreover, the Cabinet has decided to maintain current provisions of the civil retirement and social insurance systems for current participants, excluding those nearing retirement age and specific groups qualifying for pensions.
The General Organization for Social Insurance clarified that the new system applies only to newly employed civilians in both public and private sectors without prior contributions to either retirement or current social insurance systems.
Existing participants will continue under current rules, except for changes related to retirement age and qualifying periods for pensions for those with less than 20 years of contributions and under 50 lunar years old at the time of the amendments.
The retirement age for covered groups will gradually increase from 58 to 65 years, starting 4 months beyond the current retirement age, based on the participant's age when the amendments take effect.
The current retirement and insurance systems will remain unchanged for participants aged 50 and above or with 20 or more years of contributions at the time of the amendments.
For new labor market entrants, the new system facilitates job mobility between public and private sectors, with contribution rates gradually increasing by 0.5% annually over 4 years, starting from the second year.