The Saracen Group was very active in Islamic Trade and Project Finance throughout the period between 1992 and 2008, during which time, over US $12 billion of finance was successfully concluded. Saracen has also previously arranged the funding of crude oil and other oil products through Islamic Trade Finance, at a time when emerging markets offered higher fixed-income returns. These transactions were tailor-made for the various investment strategies encompassing both investment grade type risk at one end of the spectrum, and the higher risk typically relating to Emerging Markets at the other end.
Saracen has also previously raised project finance and arranged lease finance for container ships, oil rigs and aircraft, based on principles of Murabaha, Ijara, Istithna and Musharaka.
It should be clarified, that in typical Trade Finance transactions, a possible partner does not pass on any funds to Saracen but instead directly to the bank issuing the Trade Letter of Credit. These transactions are term flexible from 90 days to 5 years.