Bank Respublika, one of the country's leading
banks actively supporting the real sector in Azerbaijan, has signed
a USD 20 million loan agreement with the
OPEC Fund for International Development. The
financing, provided for a four-year term, is aimed
at supporting the development of Azerbaijan's private sector and
expanding access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized
enterprises (MSMEs).
The agreement was signed by Tariyel Ismayilov, Chairman of the
Management Board of Bank Respublika, and Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa,
President of the OPEC Fund. The signing ceremony took place in
Vienna during the OPEC Fund Development Forum 2026, held to mark
the OPEC Fund's 50th anniversary.
The ceremony was also attended by Anar Akhundov, Deputy Minister
of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Rovshan Sadigbeyli,
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of
Azerbaijan to the Republic of Austria.
The financing will enable Bank Respublika to expand its support
for the real sector of the economy and increase lending to micro,
small and medium-sized enterprises. The funds will be directed
toward financing entrepreneurs implementing projects that
contribute to job creation, business development, and sustainable
economic growth in the country.
OPEC Fund President Dr.Abdulhamid Alkhalifa
said: “This first local currency loan is a milestone
for the OPEC Fund. An important addition to our financial toolbox,
it allows us to further deepen our impact with innovative
solutions. Local currency funding is a key instrument to
lower risk and attract investment, and the OPEC Fund is very
pleased to have found a strong partner in Bank Respublika for its
first such loan.”
Chairman of the Management Board of Bank Respublika,
Tariyel Ismayilov, commented: “For us, this agreement
is not just about financing. It is an important sign of trust from
one of the world’s leading development finance institutions — the
OPEC Fund. We are sincerely grateful to Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa
and his excellent team for their high professionalism
and warm hospitality. We believe this agreement will
become the first step toward a successful and long-term partnership
between Bank Respublika and the OPEC Fund.”
