IFC launches second sukuk to support MENA projects

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, announced on September 10 that it issued a US$100 million trust certificates through a special purpose vehicle, IFC Sukuk Company, in an effort to spur growth in developing economies. The five-year Sukuk will support IFC’s developmental financing activities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and other parts of the world. It will initially be listed on NASDAQ Dubai. An application has also been made to list the Sukuk on the London Stock Exchange. The sukuk were based on the al Wakala structure. Joint Lead Managers of the deal were Dubai Islamic Bank, HSBC, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Standard Chartered Bank (B&D).