The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) provided US$ 40 million insurance cover to ING Bank (Tokyo Branch) for a financing facility to Turkmenistan for the purchase of Komatsu machinery from Japan for the development of the country’s agriculture sector.

The insurance cover to mitigate non-payment risk comes under ICIEC’s Non-Honoring of Sovereign Financial Obligations Policy. The extended financing facility to the Government of Turkmenistan is through the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs (TFEB).

Agriculture is a significant economic sector in Turkmenistan, contributing 11.7% of GDP in 2019 and employing 40% of the workforce. However, the cultivated land represents only 4% of the total arable land. The global COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted Turkmenistan. Over the last few years, climate change and the adverse environmental challenges of irrigation in a desert environment have similarly affected the country’s agricultural sector.

Turkmenistan used to be the world’s 10th largest cotton producer. Cotton exports have fallen dramatically, partly due to water shortages and outdated irrigation methods and technology. Cotton cultivation also required a large amount of water to be diverted from the Amu Darya River, which resulted in polluting fertilizer effluent flowing into the river and causing environmental damage. Other challenges include difficulties in producing enough livestock feed and heavy bureaucracy due to central planning. In 2019, the Government decided to halt raw cotton exports favouring textiles and ready-made garments.

The development impact of the facility and insurance cover is wide-ranging. It includes reducing Turkmenistan’s exposure to volatile commodity prices, diversifying the economy and exports, stabilizing import substitution and balance of payments, improving food self-sufficiency and the efficiency of the agriculture sector by providing the latest irrigation technology, thus increasing yields; and promoting the rational use of water resources and the provision of clean water.

“Since Turkmenistan joined ICIEC as a Member Country in 2019,” Mr Oussama KAISSI, CEO of  ICIEC, stresses, “the Corporation has been growing its presence in the country, seeking opportunities to promote FDI and expand the exports. ICIEC supports Turkmenistan by mitigating political and commercial risk for trade and investment by providing risk mitigation tools and financial solutions for banks, corporates, ECAs, and other insurers. We prioritize support for projects that contribute to Turkmenistan’s strategic development goals, especially in support of the country’s transport and agricultural sectors.”

Ms Riko Kikuchi, Country Manager of ING Bank N.V., Tokyo Branch, similarly commented: “ING Bank is very grateful for the strong support of ICIEC in our role as Mandate Lead Arranger of financing for the Government of Turkmenistan. We are delighted to have been part of this important project and support the business between Japan and Turkmenistan.”

The facility is in support of five U.N. SDGs, namely achieving Zero Hunger (SDG2) through food security, improved nutrition, and sustainable agriculture; provision of Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG6); promoting Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG12); contributing to Climate Action (SDG13), and forging Partnerships for Sustainable Development (SDG 17).