Vision Bank launches Shari’ah-Compliant SME trade finance

By Divya Shah

The SME trade finance initiative targets underserved businesses across the GCC, India, and Southeast Asia with US dollar working capital solutions.

Vision Bank, an Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) institution founded and owned by GII Group, has launched a specialised SME financing proposition aimed at supporting modern businesses engaged in cross-border trade.

The initiative focuses on delivering short-term trade finance to eligible small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that require working capital linked to real commercial flows. To achieve this, the bank is utilising a multi-channel, platform-led approach through strategic partnerships with select fintechs and trade finance platforms.

Jeremy Parrish, Chairman, Vision Bank, said, “SMEs are increasingly operating across borders, platforms and supply chains, but access to short-term trade finance has not always kept pace with how these businesses work. With this launch, Vision Bank is introducing a platform-led SME financing proposition designed to support real trade flows across markets in a Shari’ah-compliant and commercially practical way.”

This model allows Vision Bank to identify and originate financing opportunities across key trade corridors without relying solely on traditional balance-sheet lending criteria.

The proposition is designed specifically for exporters and SMEs operating in the GCC, India, Southeast Asia, and other trade-driven markets, where companies often encounter limited access to competitive US dollar financing through conventional local channels.

By assessing underlying trade transactions, relevant counterparties, and associated credit risks, the bank aims to facilitate a more efficient lending framework. Furthermore, the entire financing structure operates in strict accordance with Shari’ah principles.

Mohammed Alhassan and Pankaj Gupta, co-founders and CEOs of GII Group, said, “We identify a structural gap, then address it through a regulated platform and technology-enabled distribution rather than balance-sheet scale. SMEs trading across borders remain underserved in US dollar working capital, and a partnership-led, Shari’ah-compliant model allows Vision Bank to reach them selectively and with discipline.”