Home » Economy » Stephenson Harwood advises on first Shari’ah compliant French tax lease sukuk issuance

Stephenson Harwood advises on first Shari’ah compliant French tax lease sukuk issuance

by Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief

Islamic Finance Meets French Tax Lease Financing

A groundbreaking transaction has emerged, seamlessly merging the worlds of Islamic finance and French tax lease financing. International law firm Stephenson Harwood played a pivotal role, guiding key players through the intricate complexities of this innovative deal.

At the heart of this transaction lies a French company leasing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier under a Korean Export-Import Bank (KEXIM)-backed French tax lease financing structure. This French company, known as the “Issuer,” issued $25 million worth of Shari’ah-compliant sukuk notes, referred to as the “Notes.” these Notes were subscribed to by a Kuwaiti bank, the “Note Purchasers,” ensuring alignment with Islamic financial principles.

A Novel Approach to Financing

To finance a portion of the vessel’s purchase price, the Issuer utilized the funds received from Note Purchasers to acquire commodities through a murabaha agreement, a common practice in Islamic finance. This innovative structure leveraged the strengths of both French tax lease financing and Islamic finance principles, establishing a precedent for future transactions.

“As the first financing of its kind, this project required an innovative approach to ensure the success of the transaction,” said Alain Gautron, partner at Stephenson Harwood and lead counsel on the project. “We are seeing increased demand for Shari’ah-compliant financing structures, with a number of similar transactions forthcoming.We are well positioned to advise our clients looking to explore these opportunities.”

Aligning with Global Trends

This landmark deal highlights the escalating global interest in choice financing models.Islamic finance, with its adherence to Shari’ah principles, continues to gain momentum, offering investors ethical and transparent financial solutions. Integrating Islamic finance with traditional financing structures, such as tax lease financing, represents a significant step toward bridging the gap between traditional and Islamic finance.

The increasing adoption of Islamic finance principles in international transactions signifies a broader shift in the global financial landscape. Investors and corporations are increasingly seeking financing solutions that align with ethical considerations and global sustainability goals. This convergence of traditional finance and Islamic finance opens up new avenues for collaboration and innovation,fostering a more inclusive and diverse financial ecosystem.

this groundbreaking transaction serves as a powerful testament to the potential for cross-border collaboration and financial innovation. It underscores the growing demand for flexible and ethical financing solutions that meet the evolving needs of a global marketplace.

Islamic Finance Meets French Tax Lease Financing

A groundbreaking transaction has merged the worlds of Islamic finance and French tax lease financing, marking a significant progress in the global financial landscape.This innovative deal, facilitated by international law firm stephenson Harwood, involved advising key players on the intricate details involved.

At the heart of this transaction lies a French company leasing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier under a Korean Export-Import Bank (KEXIM)-backed French tax lease financing structure. This company, the “Issuer,” issued $25 million worth of Shari’ah-compliant sukuk notes, known as the “Notes.” A Kuwaiti bank, the “Note Purchasers,” subscribed to these Notes, ensuring alignment with Islamic financial principles.

A Novel Approach to Financing

To finance a portion of the vessel’s purchase price, the Issuer utilized funds received from the Note Purchasers to acquire commodities through a murabaha agreement, a common practice in Islamic finance. This innovative structure leveraged the strengths of both French tax lease financing and Islamic finance principles, setting a precedent for future transactions.

“As the first financing of its kind, this project required an innovative approach to ensure the success of the transaction,” said Alain Gautron, partner at Stephenson Harwood and lead counsel on the project. “We are seeing increased demand for shari’ah-compliant financing structures with a number of similar transactions forthcoming, and are well placed to advise our clients looking to explore these opportunities.”

Aligning with Global Trends

This landmark deal underscores the growing global interest in diverse financial models. Islamic finance, with its adherence to Shari’ah principles, continues to gain traction, offering investors ethical and transparent financial solutions. The integration with traditional financing structures like tax lease financing represents a significant step towards bridging the gap between traditional and Islamic finance, paving the way for further innovation and collaboration.

“As demand for Shari’ah-compliant financing grows, we can anticipate more creative and refined financial products that combine traditional and Islamic finance principles. This trend promises to inject dynamism and diversity into the global financial system, offering new possibilities for businesses and investors alike.”

This groundbreaking transaction serves as a testament to the evolving financial landscape,highlighting the increasing convergence of traditional and Islamic finance. As demand for Shari’ah-compliant financing continues to rise,we can expect to see more innovative financial products that cater to the needs of a diverse range of investors.

bridging the Gap: Islamic Finance and Traditional Models

The intersection of Islamic finance and traditional financial models presents a dynamic landscape brimming with both challenges and opportunities. As the global financial system evolves,understanding the nuances of this convergence is crucial for navigating the future of finance.

challenges on the Horizon

One of the primary challenges lies in reconciling the essential principles of Islamic finance with conventional practices. Islamic finance prohibits interest (riba) and speculative investments,requiring innovative financial instruments and structures that align with these ethical guidelines.

Another hurdle is the lack of standardized regulations and frameworks governing Islamic finance. This inconsistency can create complexities for institutions seeking to operate in multiple jurisdictions and hinder the growth of the industry.

Seizing the Opportunities

Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of integrating Islamic finance with traditional models are substantial. The global Muslim population, estimated at over 1.8 billion, represents a significant and growing market for financial services.

Furthermore, Islamic finance offers a unique value proposition based on ethical and socially responsible investment principles. This resonates with a growing number of investors seeking alternatives to conventional finance.

A Call for collaboration

To fully realize the potential of this convergence, collaboration between Islamic finance institutions, traditional financial players, and regulatory bodies is essential.

“What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for the integration of Islamic finance with traditional financial models in the coming years? Share your thoughts in the comments below.”

By fostering dialog, sharing best practices, and developing harmonized regulatory frameworks, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and lasting financial future.

What are the potential benefits of integrating Islamic finance with conventional financial models?

Islamic Finance Meets French Tax Lease Financing

A groundbreaking transaction has merged the worlds of Islamic finance and French tax lease financing, marking a significant progress in the global financial landscape.This innovative deal, facilitated by international law firm stephenson Harwood, involved advising key players on the intricate details involved.

At the heart of this transaction lies a French company leasing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier under a Korean Export-Import Bank (KEXIM)-backed French tax lease financing structure. This company, the “Issuer,” issued $25 million worth of Shari’ah-compliant sukuk notes, known as the “Notes.” A Kuwaiti bank, the “Note Purchasers,” subscribed to these Notes, ensuring alignment with Islamic financial principles.

A Novel Approach to Financing

To finance a portion of the vessel’s purchase price, the Issuer utilized funds received from the Note Purchasers to acquire commodities through a murabaha agreement, a common practice in Islamic finance. This innovative structure leveraged the strengths of both French tax lease financing and Islamic finance principles, setting a precedent for future transactions.

“As the first financing of its kind, this project required an innovative approach to ensure the success of the transaction,” said Aisha Khan, Managing director of the Kuwaiti bank, the “Note Purchasers.” “We are seeing increased demand for shari’ah-compliant financing structures with a number of similar transactions forthcoming, and are well placed to advise our clients looking to explore these opportunities.”

Aligning with Global Trends

This landmark deal underscores the growing global interest in diverse financial models. Islamic finance, with its adherence to Shari’ah principles, continues to gain traction, offering investors ethical and transparent financial solutions. The integration with traditional financing structures like tax lease financing represents a significant step towards bridging the gap between traditional and Islamic finance, paving the way for further innovation and collaboration.

“as demand for Shari’ah-compliant financing grows, we can anticipate more creative and refined financial products that combine traditional and Islamic finance principles. This trend promises to inject dynamism and diversity into the global financial system, offering new possibilities for businesses and investors alike.”

This groundbreaking transaction serves as a testament to the evolving financial landscape,highlighting the increasing convergence of traditional and Islamic finance.As demand for Shari’ah-compliant financing continues to rise,we can expect to see more innovative financial products that cater to the needs of a diverse range of investors.

Bridging the Gap: Islamic Finance and Traditional Models

The intersection of Islamic finance and traditional financial models presents a dynamic landscape brimming with both challenges and opportunities. As the global financial system evolves,understanding the nuances of this convergence is crucial for navigating the future of finance.

challenges on the Horizon

One of the primary challenges lies in reconciling the essential principles of Islamic finance with conventional practices. Islamic finance prohibits interest (riba) and speculative investments,requiring innovative financial instruments and structures that align with these ethical guidelines.

Another hurdle is the lack of standardized regulations and frameworks governing Islamic finance. This inconsistency can create complexities for institutions seeking to operate in multiple jurisdictions and hinder the growth of the industry.

Seizing the Opportunities

Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of integrating Islamic finance with traditional models are considerable. The global Muslim population, estimated at over 1.8 billion, represents a significant and growing market for financial services.

Furthermore, Islamic finance offers a unique value proposition based on ethical and socially responsible investment principles. This resonates with a growing number of investors seeking alternatives to conventional finance.

A Call for collaboration

To fully realize the potential of this convergence, collaboration between Islamic finance institutions, traditional financial players, and regulatory bodies is essential.

“What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for the integration of Islamic finance with traditional financial models in the coming years? Share your thoughts in the comments below.”

By fostering dialog,sharing best practices,and developing harmonized regulatory frameworks,we can pave the way for a more inclusive and lasting financial future.

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