Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE’s federal export credit company, has supported a $50 million, three-year trade finance facility for Gerald Metals Sàrl, a Geneva-based subsidiary of Gerald Group, with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) acting as the lender.
The financing arrangement supports the export of UAE-origin non-oil commodities and aligns with the country’s efforts to expand non-oil exports under the We the UAE 2031 agenda. Clyde & Co acted as legal counsel to ECI on the transaction.
The facility combines Gerald Group’s international trading operations, ADCB’s financing capabilities, and ECI’s export credit support to facilitate trade involving UAE-origin commodities.
The transaction strengthens access to trade finance while supporting the continued growth of the country’s non-oil export sector.
According to ECI, the financing structure supports exporters by providing risk-mitigated trade finance solutions that help facilitate cross-border transactions. The initiative also contributes to the UAE’s strategy of diversifying its economy through increased non-oil exports and expanding international trade activity.
The transaction comes at a time when global supply chains and trade flows continue to evolve, increasing the importance of structured financing solutions for international commodity trade.
The collaboration between ECI, ADCB, and Gerald Group is intended to support efficient trade financing while helping businesses manage cross-border commercial activities.
Raja Al Mazrouei CEO – ECI
“We are pleased to partner with Gerald Group and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank on this landmark transaction, which reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the UAE’s trade finance ecosystem. This achievement is also a testament to ECI’s role in advancing the country’s non-oil export agenda, in line with the vision of our wise leadership to diversify and strengthen the national economy. Partnerships with leading international traders and UAE financial institutions further strengthen our mandate to accelerate export growth and enhance the global visibility of UAE-origin commodities.”
Patricia Nikolopoulos, Chief Financial Officer of Gerald Group, stated that the facility expands the company’s funding platform by adding its first ECI-backed financing arrangement. Nikolopoulos noted that the agreement broadens access to committed liquidity, extends funding tenor, and supports the company’s financing and supply chain operations across global metals markets.
The financing arrangement also highlights the collaboration between export credit agencies, financial institutions, and international commodity traders in supporting cross-border trade.
