Albaraka Türk, Türkiye’s first and leading participation bank, has joined the Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP) run by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in order to strengthen cross‑border trade and expand global trade networks. Through this collaboration, Albaraka Türk has become the first participation bank from Türkiye to take part in the programme.
Continuing its activities with the vision of “Pioneer Banking,” Albaraka Türk remains committed to supporting sustainable cross‑border trade, providing ESG‑compliant financing, and delivering financial solutions aligned with global standards to its customers.
Within the scope of the EBRD Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP), Albaraka Türk has signed an important cooperation agreement aimed at supporting the integration of Turkish companies into global trade networks and strengthening export‑oriented growth in line with responsible banking principles. As part of this strategic partnership, EBRD has provided Albaraka Türk with a trade finance limit of USD 50 million. By joining EBRD’s extensive network, Albaraka Türk aims to facilitate the access of local businesses to new markets and remove financial barriers to international trade.
A First in Participation Banking
Within the programme, Albaraka Türk has become EBRD’s first participation banking partner in Türkiye. Thanks to the facility provided, EBRD will provide guarantees to international confirming banks and support for trade transactions carried out by Albaraka Türk. This USD 50 million limit will increase the bank’s capacity to meet the growing demand for trade finance while strengthening Türkiye’s trade connections with key global markets such as Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Under the EBRD programme, knowledge transfer will also be provided through consultancy services and training programmes in areas such as compliance in trade finance, sustainability, digitalisation and inclusiveness. EBRD’s award‑winning TFP programme currently operates in 28 economies and connects more than 130 issuing banks with over 800 confirming banks. This extensive network strengthens correspondent banking relationships and enables the development of new trade corridors between markets.
Through the TFP, EBRD supports local banks by providing guarantees and short‑term financing, contributing to smoother trade flows and helping local businesses access new markets. To date, EBRD has supported more than 36,000 global trade transactions worth over EUR 42 billion in the countries where it operates.
Francis Malige, Managing Director for Financial Institutions at EBRD, said:
“We are pleased to establish a partnership with Albaraka Türk under the TFP programme. The fact that Albaraka Türk is the first participation bank to join the programme in Türkiye makes this cooperation even more meaningful. This opportunity will strengthen the bank’s trade finance capacity and further support Türkiye’s connections with key global markets.”
Malek Temsah: “This partnership marks a strategic milestone for Albaraka Türk and participation banking in Türkiye.”
FRANCIS MALIGE - MALEK TEMSAH
Albaraka Türk General Manager and Board Member Malek Temsah emphasized the importance of the collaboration with the following words:
“The partnership we have established within the framework of EBRD’s Trade Facilitation Programme represents a strategic milestone for both Albaraka Türk and participation banking in Türkiye. We are pleased to be the first participation bank in Türkiye to join the programme as an issuing bank. The USD 50 million limit will enable us to strengthen Turkish companies’ and SMEs’ access to international markets, support sustainable cross‑border trade, and contribute to Türkiye’s export‑oriented growth. This cooperation will further reinforce our responsible banking approach and ESG‑aligned financing model at an international level.”