Alif Capital has been approved by the National Bank of Tajikistan to provide banking services in both hard currency and somoni, the currency of Tajikistan. Alif Capital is marketed as the first regulated microfinance institution in Tajikistan that offers Sharia-compliant finance. Its loan terms vary from four to six months, with an average size of $4,000 as of 2015.
Tajikistan is keen to benefit from Islamic banking and utilise the experiences of Islamic banks in his country, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Nematullo Hikmatullozoda has said. Hikmatullozoda, who visited QIIB headquarters yesterday expressed the hope that Tajikistan would be able to attract Islamic banks to his country, where his ministry is making efforts to convince investors about the attractive investment opportunities available. In particular, Tajikistan is keen on expanding and further cementing the relationship with Qatar’s financial and business sectors.
The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private sector (ICD) and OJSC Agroinvestbank of the Republic of Tajikistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation to consider extension of a Line of Financing facility to OJSC Agroinvestbank as part of the country programme allocation of USD 25 million for the Republic of Tajikistan. The Line of Financing facility will be extended by OJSC Agroinvestbank to the SMEs sector to project's in industrial, communication, technology, health, construction and agricultural sectors. Previously ICD extended a total of USD 11.5 million Line of Financing facility for the development of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tajikistan which demonstrates ICD’s firm commitment to develop the private sector in its member countries.
The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and OJSC Agroinvestbank of the Republic of Tajikistan have signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation to consider extension of a line of financing facility to OJSC Agroinvestbank as part of the country program allocation of $25 million for Tajikistan. The line of financing facility will be extended by OJSC Agroinvestbank to the SMEs sector to project’s in industrial, communication, technology, health, construction and agricultural sectors. Khaled Al-Aboodi, CEO and general manager of ICD, said the SME sector is important in all the member countries, including the higher income ones. ICD is now focusing on this sector by extending lines of finance to local banks in addition to the establishment of ASR Leasing Company in Tajikistan.
Bonki Rushdi Tojikiston (BRT), based in Tajikistan, has signed an advisory services agreement with the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) to process and support its conversion into Shariah-compliant operations. The agreement is designed to develop an advisory process to effectively deliver full conversion by also identifying challenges and addressing impediments. The ICD will dedicate seven key teams across the full conversion process in areas of project management, Shariah compliance, treasury, accounting, human resources, information technology, marketing and legal framework. BRT is hoping to become the leading Shariah-compliant platform in Tajikistan.
Qatar has expressed its willingness to set up an Islamic bank in Tajikistan, which would be the first Shariah-based financial institution in the Central Asian country. The establishment of a full-fledged Islamic bank under Qatari-Tajikistan partnership was discussed when Ezdan Holding chairman Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah al-Thani called on Tajikistan President Emomalii Rahmon in the country's capital Dushanbe last week. Sheikh Dr Khalid said the Qatari business community was viewing the Tajikistan market with great interest and willing to invest in the country, besides sharing its knowledge and expertise with local businessmen in different sectors, particularly Islamic banking. He termed as "extremely positive", the Tajikistan government's decision to enact necessary legislation required for Islamic banking.
The Dushanbe Business Forum 2013, which took place in Tajikistan, showcased the country as a promising investment destination and focused on the best practices of Islamic banking and leasing. The event aimed to strengthen the economic ties between the Tajikistan and OIC countries by attracting investment into Tajikistan. According to Shayne Heffernan, Tajikistan is one of the most promising emerging markets. As for its outcome, the Dushanbe Business Forum 2013 created linkages and business relations between Tajikistan and the private sector community in OIC and CIS countries, gave opportunity for local participants to discuss business collaboration with potential shareholders and addressed the prospects of developing and introducing Islamic banking and financial tools.
The Board of Governors of the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), member of Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group, approved in its 20th Annual Meeting the Annual Report and the Financial Results for 1433H (2012). Last year, the Corporation has continued to enhance the support it provides for exports from and investments into our Member Countries. Despite the existing challenges, the Corporation's Business Insured numbers remained strong at USD 3.07 billion, which is comparable to the business insured numbers achieved last year. ICIEC Chief Operating Officer Khemais El-Gazzeh said, especially the Political Risk Insurance (PRI) program stood out, having increased by 167% to reach a record high of USD 825 million.
Mohammad Yahya Maroufi, secretary general of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), revealed that his organization has agreed to certify a bank to promote economic cooperation with banks in the Islamic countries.
He added that the plans include to open a trade market for its member states.
The ECO curent members are: Islamic Republic of Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.