
ICIEC and Al-Baraka Islamic Bank Bahrain sign credit insurance policy
Under this partnership, ICIEC will provide insurance coverage for the confirmation of letters of credit issued by Al-Baraka Islamic Bank in connection with the import and export of eligible Shariah-compliant goods and services. This solution will help mitigate payment risks associated with cross-border trade while promoting sustainable growth in ICIEC's member states.
CEO of ICIEC Dr. Khalid Khalafalla said: 'This strategic collaboration with Al-Baraka Islamic Bank reflects ICIEC's commitment to advancing intra-OIC trade and investment. By supporting Shariah-compliant trade finance through our documentary credit insurance policy, we are facilitating secure trade flows while empowering Islamic banks to broaden their offerings to clients.'
CEO of Al-Baraka Islamic Bank Bahrain Dr. Adel Salem said: 'We are delighted to partner with ICIEC on this pioneering credit insurance policy, which empowers us to extend Shariah‑compliant trade finance to our clients, bolster Bahrain's role as a regional hub for Islamic banking, and stimulate sustainable economic growth across member states worldwide. This collaboration underscores our commitment to innovation and robust risk management, giving the businesses we serve greater confidence to expand in global markets.'
The documentary credit insurance policy serves as a vital tool for Islamic banks, enhancing their ability to expand trade finance operations with reduced exposure to commercial and political risks.
The policy also complements ICIEC's broader mandate to promote economic resilience, financial inclusion, and private sector development in member countries.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arab News
19 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia, UAE rank among top 20 nations for AI talent density
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and the UAE have emerged as global hubs for artificial intelligence expertise, ranking among the world's top 20 countries by talent density, a new survey showed. According to the latest Global AI Competitiveness Index, issued as a collaboration between the International Finance Forum and Deep Knowledge Group, the Kingdom holds 0.7 percent of the global AI talent pool. In comparison, the UAE holds 0.4 percent, placing it ahead of countries like Russia and Italy. This supports the nation's National Strategy for Data and AI, which aims to place Saudi Arabia among the world's top 15 in AI, the top 10 in the Open Data Index, and the top 20 for data and AI-related publications. It also aligns with projections from PwC that AI will contribute $235.2 billion, around 12.4 percent, to the Kingdom's gross domestic product by 2030. 'Saudi Arabia and the UAE's strategic focus on AI, their significant investments in education, infrastructure, and innovation, and their ability to attract top talent and investments are setting the stage for a new era of growth in the region,' Dmitry Kaminskiy, general partner at Deep Knowledge Group, said in a press release. 'Both nations are making substantial strides toward becoming global AI leaders, with the UAE positioning itself as a major player in AI governance and technology, while Saudi Arabia is building a robust ecosystem for AI talent and applications,' Kaminskiy added. The report further indicated that in a major milestone, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has joined the ranks of the top 150 universities worldwide for AI talent production, making it the highest-ranking institution in the Middle East as a whole. It also showed that the Kingdom has committed $20 billion to partnerships with leading institutions, including Stanford University, to establish KAUST as home to one of the world's top AI research labs. Complementing this, national initiatives such as the 10,000 Coders program are equipping young Saudis with advanced AI skills to build local talent and drive innovation. As part of Saudi Vision 2030, AI is recognized as a key pillar of the Kingdom's economic transformation. The strategy aims to position the nation among the world's top 10 countries in AI research and implementation by 2030, while drawing in $20 billion in investments and generating 200,000 high-tech jobs. The Kingdom created the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority to lead the country's AI strategy. Key initiatives enjoy fast-track approvals, with decisions usually finalized within 30 days. Sovereign wealth is also driving AI expansion, with the Kingdom's Public Investment Fund launching a $1.5 billion fund dedicated to AI investments. The nation is also channeling substantial resources into initiatives like Neom, where over 30 percent of the $500 billion budget is allocated to AI infrastructure, redefining the future of smart cities.


Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Pakistan, Kuwait agree to boost high-level exchanges, deepen ties in trade and defense
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya agreed to increase high-level official exchanges to strengthen bilateral relations and bolster cooperation in trade, investment and defense, Pakistan's foreign office said in a statement on Tuesday. The two ministers met on the sidelines of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution at the United Nations in New York. Pakistan has been seeking to enhance economic and strategic partnerships with Gulf nations, including efforts to export more skilled human resources to the region in a bid to boost remittances, which reached a record $38.3 billion in the last fiscal year. 'The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen Pakistan-Kuwait relations, with a focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, energy, food security and defense,' the foreign office said. 'They also discussed close collaboration at multilateral fora, including at the UN and OIC [Organization of Islamic Cooperation].' 'Both sides agreed to undertake high-level exchanges in the near future to deepen bilateral engagement,' it added. Dar and Al-Yahya also expressed concern over continued Israeli aggression against Palestinians and the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling for a just and lasting resolution. They voiced hope that the outcomes of the UN conference would contribute meaningfully toward the realization of the two-state solution. Earlier this year, Pakistan and Kuwait held the fourth round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Kuwait in May, where senior officials reviewed cooperation in trade, labor and consular affairs. Prior to that, in February, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al‑Ahmad Al‑Sabah and pledged to transform bilateral relations into a robust economic partnership, while also coordinating positions on regional issues including the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The two sides are also trying to enhance collaboration in defense training, cybersecurity and military joint exercises.


Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Issues New Industrial Licenses Worth $253 Million
The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources issued 83 new industrial licenses in June, with total investments exceeding SAR 950 million (approximately $253.3 million). The new ventures are expected to generate more than 1,188 job opportunities across the Kingdom. According to a report released on Monday by the National Center for Industrial and Mining Information, which is affiliated with the ministry, 58 new factories began production during the same month. The factories represent investments of around SAR 1.9 billion ($506.6 million) and are expected to create 2,007 new jobs. The figures highlight the continued expansion of Saudi Arabia's industrial base and the accelerating pace at which licensed factories are entering operational phases. The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources regularly publishes key industrial indicators through the National Center for Industrial and Mining Information. These monthly reports offer insights into the Kingdom's industrial activity, including data on new investments, license issuances, and the number of factories commencing production.