The National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan reported that its First Deputy Chairman, Firuz Sharifzoda, held a series of meetings in the Kingdom of Bahrain on 20–21 April 2025 with financial regulators and institutions focused on expanding cooperation on Islamic finance, banking digitalisation, and correspondent banking. The visit included the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF). Discussions with the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) covered adopting international Islamic accounting and auditing standards, strengthening institutional links, developing staff capabilities in Tajikistan’s banking system, improving regulatory documents related to monetary policy for Islamic finance institutions, and developing the takaful sector. Talks with BIBF addressed human capital development, Islamic finance, and digitalisation, including the need for comprehensive training courses and tailored learning programmes; the MoU provides a basis for further cooperation on digital finance, Islamic banking, and professional standards. Meetings with the Central Bank of Bahrain covered regulatory and supervisory issues, legal framework alignment, and opening correspondent accounts, with the Bahraini side indicating readiness to support drafting regulations aligned with Islamic banking standards. Separate engagement with Al Ahli United Bank and Kuwait Finance House leadership addressed financial cooperation, investment attraction, potential branch and representative office openings, correspondent accounts, and exchange of experience in Islamic finance.

Original source View in tracker