BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 16. The role of Central
Asia and the Caucasus as a bridge between the East and the West is
expected to further strengthen over the next five years, according
to a senior Islamic Development Bank (IDB) official, Trend’s correspondent reports
from the event.
Mostafa Mohamed Eleskandarani, Senior Leading Specialist at the
Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, made
the remarks at the “Azerbaijan Investment Prospects Forum 2026”
held in Baku as part of the IDB Group Annual Meeting.
According to Eleskandarani, shifting global geopolitical
conditions are making issues such as security, food security, and
supply chain resilience increasingly important.
He said this environment creates opportunities for development
finance institutions to focus more on employment creation,
healthcare access, financial inclusion, and the transition to
sustainable energy.
According to him, regions with strong natural resources, a young
workforce, and a strategic geographic position between East and
West are gaining increasing importance.
Eleskandarani said the Central Asia and Caucasus region will
play an even more significant bridging and coordinating role
between East and West over the next five years, adding that the
overall economic outlook for the region remains positive.
