Eurasian Development Bank

🌍 EDB launches its first Islamic finance project in the real sector

The Eurasian Development Bank and Eastcomtrans have signed a General Commodity Murabaha Agreement in Astana — an important step for the Bank as it expands its range of financial instruments.

The agreement was executed by Ruslan Dalenov, Vice Chairman of the Management Board, and Almas Abaideldinov, CEO of .

This marks the Bank’s first Islamic finance project within its Islamic window, introducing an internationally recognised Commodity mechanism aimed at supporting sustainable and alternative financing solutions across member countries.

The partnership with Eastcomtrans, Kazakhstan’s largest private rolling stock operator, will help finance railcar overhauls, maintenance and repairs — strengthening freight efficiency, and logistics .

This initiative strengthens the EDB’s role as an international development institution offering a wider range of tailored financial solutions.

📌 Murabaha is an Islamic financing instrument in which the price of a commodity includes an agreed profit margin paid in instalments.

The Eurasian Development Bank held a presentation in , signing 6 cooperation agreements with government bodies and leading companies in . The event strengthened strategic partnerships and highlighted new avenues for collaboration.

First Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan, Yusuf Majidi, emphasised the importance of cooperation with the EDB for the country’s sustainable growth amid global challenges. Ruslan Dalenov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board, highlighted the Bank’s regional strategy and its commitment to supporting member states through investment, analytical, and partnership tools.

Alexander Zaboev, Head of the EDB Centre for Integration Studies, shared key macroeconomic and sectoral insights on Tajikistan. He noted that the Eurasian Transport Network could cut logistics costs in the region by up to 20%, while water management remains a priority: irrigated land in Tajikistan may reach 808,000 hectares by 2040, requiring around $567 million to modernise systems and techniques.

Vladimir Yakunin, EDB Director for Tajikistan, outlined the Bank’s $48 million pipeline of potential projects. He also highlighted ten Technical Assistance Fund projects worth $2.4 million, supporting investment, , and human capital development.

Alexander Petrov, Director of Digital Initiatives at the EDB, presented ongoing projects of the Fund for Digital Initiatives, including the digital platform for the Dushanbe electronic city map — a key tool for data-driven urban management — as well as the international B2B cooperation platform.