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Standard Chartered: We are discussing new financing opportunities with a number of institutions in Azerbaijan

Desislava Radeva, Executive Director of Development & Agency Finance at Standard Chartered Bank

25 September 2026 15:45 (UTC +04:00)

Standard Chartered Bank is holding discussions with a number of institutions in Azerbaijan regarding opportunities to finance various projects, Desislava Radeva, Executive Director of Development & Agency Finance at Standard Chartered Bank, said during a panel discussion held as part of the Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2026) in Baku, APA-Economics reports.

Desislava Radeva noted that Azerbaijan has a strong financial position and established experience in the energy sector, and that the process of diversifying the economy is already underway.

“We are already working with a number of institutions in Azerbaijan and discussing with them the areas in which we can provide support,” Desislava Radeva said.

According to Desislava Radeva, Standard Chartered Bank can help attract additional financing from commercial banks, reduce risks by using the capabilities of export credit agencies such as UK Export Finance (UKEF) and multilateral financial institutions, extend financing tenors, and make the terms more attractive.

Desislava Radeva said that such financing models could also be applied in Azerbaijan. In particular, there are opportunities for the joint participation of export credit agencies, development finance institutions, and commercial banks in transport, mining, renewable energy, water, and other major infrastructure projects.

As an example, Desislava Radeva cited three major transactions completed by Standard Chartered Bank in Kazakhstan this year. One of them involved financing a project of Kazakhstan’s railway company within the framework of the Middle Corridor. IFC, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and Standard Chartered Bank jointly participated in financing the project.

Desislava Radeva said that, as part of another major transaction, USD 800 million was allocated to finance road projects in Kazakhstan. The use of a guarantee mechanism made it possible to attract long-term financing of this scale.

Desislava Radeva emphasized that such structures could also be replicated in Azerbaijan. UKEF’s participation could facilitate the involvement of UK expertise and supply chains, particularly in projects such as transport and mining, while the participation of MIGA and other international financial institutions could enable the arrangement of long-term financing for projects with a higher local component.