Service · Trade finance

Commodity trade finance in the Caucasus and Central Asia

We help traders and producers moving goods through Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan secure bank credit lines and structured trade finance. Recently we arranged a USD 4m credit line for a trader operating from Armenia and Dubai.

Who it is for

• Mid-sized commodity traders that need working capital lines
• Producers and exporters that want to be paid earlier
• Importers and buyers that need their banks to issue or confirm letters of credit
• Companies moving goods along the Middle Corridor

Instruments we arrange

• Letters of credit. The buyer's bank undertakes to pay once compliant shipping documents are presented.
• Standby letters of credit and guarantees. Bank undertakings that secure payment or performance.
• Pre-export and prepayment finance. Advances to producers repaid from future deliveries, with sale proceeds assigned to the lender.
• Borrowing base facilities. Revolving lines sized as agreed percentages of inventory and receivables.
• Warehouse receipt and inventory finance. Goods in independently controlled storage used as collateral.

Development bank support in the region

The EBRD's Trade Facilitation Programme guarantees trade transactions of partner banks in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, among 27 countries. The ADB's Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program works with banks in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. These programmes let local banks confirm letters of credit and extend trade lines they could not carry alone.

What lenders look for

• A track record of completed trades and reliable counterparties
• Offtake or supply contracts that support the facility
• Control over collateral: warehouse arrangements and assignment of proceeds
• Clean ownership, KYC and payment flows
• Audited or reliable management accounts

How we help

• Review the trade flow and choose the right instrument
• Prepare the credit package: company profile, financials, contracts and flow diagrams
• Introduce you to banks and trade financiers in the region and abroad
• Negotiate terms, security and covenants
• Set up accounts, payment routes and collateral arrangements

Frequently asked questions

What size of facility do you work on?

Most of our mandates start at USD 500,000.

Can a foreign-registered trader get a credit line from a bank in the region?

Sometimes. Banks usually prefer a local entity or local operations. Another route is for a regional bank to confirm letters of credit for a foreign trader. We work out which route fits your business.

How long does it take to arrange a credit line?

It depends on the bank and the transaction. A complete, well-prepared credit file is the biggest factor within your control, and that is where we focus.

Do you lend money yourselves?

No. We arrange financing from banks and private lenders and never hold client funds in our own accounts.

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Information current as of September 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice.