Sharjah Islamic Bank Showcases Islamic Trade Finance Solutions and Strengthens Its Presence at the Global Trade Conference in Dubai

Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) participated in the Global Trade Conference for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as a Silver Sponsor. The event served as a platform for the Bank to demonstrate its continued commitment to supporting specialized economic forums and advancing the Islamic trade finance sector at both regional and international levels.

Mr. Rahma Mohammed Al Shamsi, Head of Corporate Banking at Sharjah Islamic Bank, affirmed that the Bank’s sponsorship and active participation reflect its dedication to strengthening its presence on specialised economic platforms and supporting the business community regionally and globally. He noted that the Bank’s dedicated exhibition stand offered an opportunity to showcase its Islamic trade finance solutions and corporate banking services developed for companies and mid-sized enterprises, underscoring SIB’s commitment to empowering clients to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of global trade.

Mr. Al Shamsi further emphasised that SIB’s Corporate Banking team possesses deep expertise in understanding the needs of diverse sectors, including government entities, large corporations, and mid-sized companies. The team supports sectoral growth through an integrated ecosystem of banking solutions. This includes advanced cash management solutions designed to enhance liquidity and cash flow efficiency, alongside trade finance services such as letters of credit, bank guarantees, import and export financing, and supply chain finance. In addition, SIB offers Shariah-compliant financing solutions to support investment expansion, working capital requirements, and project financing. These solutions are designed to operate within a flexible, secure, and digitally advanced banking framework that addresses both current and future corporate client needs.

As part of the conference’s knowledge programme, the Bank participated in a panel discussion titled “How Does Innovation Expand the Horizons of Islamic Trade Finance?” The session featured Mr. Mohammed Nazih Rashad, Head of Trade Finance Operations at Sharjah Islamic Bank, who explored the impact of innovation and emerging technologies on enhancing the efficiency and global reach of Islamic trade finance services.

The panel brought together a distinguished group of experts and specialists from the financial and banking sectors to discuss key themes, including the rapid growth of the trade finance market in GCC countries, currently valued at approximately USD 185 billion, with projections to reach USD 290 billion by 2030. The discussion also highlighted the anticipated expansion of the Islamic finance sector, which is expected to double during the same period, further consolidating its position as one of the world’s largest Shariah-compliant financial systems.

The session also addressed emerging opportunities arising from increasing trade flows with Southeast Asian and African markets, and the role that Gulf banks can play in facilitating cross-border Islamic finance transactions. Participants further highlighted the growing role of non-bank financial institutions in providing flexible financing solutions for corporates and small to medium-sized enterprises. The importance of implementing compliance systems and Know Your Customer (KYC) standards was emphasised, together with the use of advanced screening tools, sanctions monitoring, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risk indicators to streamline due diligence and enhance the efficiency of client and supplier onboarding processes.

In his remarks, Mr. Mohammed Nazih Rashad stressed that innovation is no longer optional in the trade finance sector but rather a key driver of growth and competitiveness. He noted that Sharjah Islamic Bank continuously adopts the latest digital solutions and artificial intelligence technologies to simplify processes, accelerate transaction cycles, and enhance risk management efficiency, directly improving service quality for clients.

This participation reaffirms Sharjah Islamic Bank’s commitment to strengthening its presence on specialised economic platforms and expanding its network of financial and commercial partnerships. It reflects the Bank’s ongoing efforts to develop innovative, Shariah-compliant trade finance solutions.