CFC Holds Virtual Meeting with Akhuwat Foundation
13 May 2025, Amsterdam. The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) hosted a virtual meeting on 13 May 2025 with Dr. Kamran Shams, CEO of the Akhuwat Foundation (Lahore, Pakistan), alongside H.E. Mr. Syed Haider Shah, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to The Hague, and Mr. Muhammad Shafiq Haider, Trade & Investment Counsellor at the Embassy.
Following introductory remarks, Amb. Belal opened the floor to H.E. Mr. Syed Haider Shah, who provided an overview of the Akhuwat Foundation’s work and the key topics for discussion.
Dr. Kamran Shams highlighted the Foundation’s transformative initiatives, including its pioneering interest-free microfinance programs, free quality education offerings, and efforts to integrate society’s most marginalized groups.
“Our mission is to alleviate poverty by empowering socially and economically disadvantaged communities through interest-free microfinance and education”, Dr. Shams explained. This vision resonates deeply with the CFC’s mandate to promote sustainable development and poverty reduction in commodity-dependent developing countries.
The meeting facilitated an exchange on CFC-supported project activities, financing mechanisms, and potential synergies between the two organizations. Participants also reflected on Akhuwat’s grassroots expertise, which could offer valuable lessons for CFC member states. In this regard, the CFC’s annual side event, “Best Practices in Alleviating Poverty”—held during the Governing Council meeting—was identified as a key platform for sharing such insights.
The discussion underscored the transformative potential of interest-free loans in easing the financial burden on smallholders, offering a model that transcends regional and racial divides. Akhuwat’s remarkable achievements demonstrate an approach worthy of global scaling—one that combines compassion with tangible economic empowerment.
All parties reaffirmed their commitment to further dialogue and collaboration, exploring actionable pathways to amplify their shared goals.
For media inquiries, please contact:
[CFC Media Relations Team]
[Email: managing.director@common-fund.org]
[Phone: +31 20 575 4949]