During the International Consumer Cooperation Forum 2026, held in قازان، جمهورية تتارستان, the AAOIFI Centre for Islamic Finance Development (AAOIFI CIS Centre) and the Social and Cooperative Economy Network for the Middle East and North Africa (SCEN-MENA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation and promoting the exchange of expertise in the fields of social and cooperative economy and partnership finance.

The Memorandum was signed by Mr. Mohammed Abdul Hakim, President of SCEN-MENA, and Mr. Amier Al-Musa, Director of the AAOIFI Centre for Islamic Finance Development.

The signing ceremony was attended by representatives of government authorities, international experts, and partner organizations, including Mr. Rustem Rafailovich Gainullov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan, Ms. Sariya Salikhovna Sirazieva, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Tatarstan, Mr. Timur Zufarovich Sitdikov, Head of the Partnership Finance Division of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as representatives of organizations affiliated with SCEN-MENA.

The Memorandum reflects the parties’ shared commitment to expanding international cooperation, developing innovative models of cooperative and partnership finance, and strengthening the integration of social and cooperative economy principles with Islamic finance instruments. The partnership aims to contribute to sustainable development, empower cooperative institutions, and expand access to fair and inclusive financial solutions across the Middle East and North Africa.