The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group, and Asia Alliance Bank, a joint-stock commercial bank in Uzbekistan, have signed the Murabaha Trade Financing Agreement.
This is the first operation of ITFC in Uzbekistan, and it marks the start of the implementation of the $100 million framework agreement, signed between Uzbekistan and ITFC on March 6.
“The purpose of the framework agreement is to find ways and means to ensure close cooperation and coordination of efforts between ITFC and the government of Uzbekistan, and to pave the way for a strategic partnership between the parties,” said Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of ITFC. The main area of cooperation indicated in the agreement is to provide a line of financing to local banks in Uzbekistan to support the private sector, particularly small and medium enterprises.