- EBRD provides first trade finance line to Unibank in Azerbaijan
- Facility will support country’s export and import operations
- Agreement signed during EBRD’s 2025 Annual Meeting in London
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a trade finance line of up to US$ 5 million (€4.4 million) for Unibank under its Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP). This trade finance agreement with a systemically important lender in Azerbaijan was signed at the EBRD’s 2025 Annual Meeting in London.
The newly established facility, which is aimed at supporting the export and import operations of private companies, will enable Unibank to further expand trade transactions with the international banking community. The agreement is testament to the EBRD’s increasing support for Azerbaijan’s financial sector.
George Orlov, the EBRD’s Financial Institutions Director for Central Asia, the Caucasus and Türkiye, said: “I’m pleased to welcome our colleagues from Unibank to the EBRD’s Annual Meeting in London. This is our second agreement this year, and this time we are opening a trade finance line to support foreign trade. I am confident that this transaction will allow Unibank to expand its trade finance business and contribute to the growth of export-import operations in Azerbaijan.”
Unibank’s Chief Investment Officer, Emin Rasulzade, said: “It is a source of pride for us that our collaboration with the EBRD has reached a new stage. The recognition and support of such a prestigious institution as the EBRD for the steps we have taken to develop our clients’ foreign trade operations is of great importance to us. This partnership is playing a key role in Unibank’s strategy to develop Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector.”
The EBRD’s TFP programme currently operates in 27 economies, with an extensive network of more than 130 issuing banks and over 800 confirming banks, strengthening correspondent banking relationships, developing links with new markets and promoting intraregional transactions. Through the TFP, the EBRD provides guarantees to local banks, enabling smoother trade flows and increasing access to new markets for local businesses.
The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Azerbaijan. The Bank’s recently renewed country strategy for Azerbaijan focuses on supporting the country’s non-oil sector and local lenders, as well as boosting investment in the green economy.