22 September 2015
Clifford Chance has advised on the issuance of US$100 million floating rate, amortising trust certificates due 2020 (the Issuance) issued by International Finance Corporation (IFC). The Issuance was completed on 15 September 2015 and the trust certificates were admitted to trading on NASDAQ Dubai.

IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and is a supranational organisation providing financing and financial services primarily to the private sector in developing countries that are members of IFC. The Issuance marks the second sukuk issuance by IFC since its establishment in 1956 - IFC previously accessed the sukuk market in 2009 (US$100 million five year sukuk). Proceeds from the Issuance will be used to support IFC's developmental financing activities.

Stuart Ure, partner at Clifford Chance, commented: "We are delighted to have been involved in this transaction, which was completed in the midst of challenging market conditions and we are very pleased to have been asked to support IFC in accessing the Islamic debt capital markets for the second time. The transaction again highlights the capabilities and strength of our Capital Markets practice in the region."

Clifford Chance through its UAE offices, advised the Joint Lead Managers on the Issuance. The team was led by Stuart Ure (Partner), who was assisted by Shauaib Mirza (Senior Associate) and Alekhya Prakash (Associate). Qudeer Latif (Partner and Global Head of Islamic Finance) provided Islamic structuring advice.

Standard Chartered acted as Global Coordinator in connection with the Issuance while Dubai Islamic Bank, HSBC, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Standard Chartered acted as Joint Lead Managers.

In 2015, Clifford Chance celebrates 40 years of operations in the Middle East since opening its first office in Sharjah in 1975. Over the past four decades the Firm has expanded from a single office to having a strong presence in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha and Riyadh with more than 120 permanently based lawyers in the region who are fully integrated into the Firm's international network of 36 offices in 26 countries.

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Notes to Editors:

  • Clifford Chance is one of the world's pre-eminent law firms with significant depth and range of resources across five continents. As a single, fully integrated, global partnership, we pride ourselves on our approachable, collegiate and team based way of working. We always strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, which include corporates from all the commercial and industrial sectors, governments, regulators, trade bodies and not for profit organisations. We provide them with the highest quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm's global standards with in-depth local expertise.

  • Clifford Chance was ranked 'Band 1' in more cross-border tables than any other law firm in the Chambers Global 2015 Directory. This independent analysis focuses on firms' legal ability, professional conduct, client service, and commercial awareness, and these rankings provide outstanding recognition for the firm's breadth of expertise and consistency of quality across global markets.

    For further information about Clifford Chance see www.cliffordchance.com
    For     further information about this release please contact Magdalena Suder (magdalena.suder@cliffordchance.com), Head of Business Development & Marketing, Middle East
    on +971(0)4 503 2600.

    • © Press Release 2015