Trade finance
Connecting exporters, importers, buyers and sellers with structured trade finance
CARF is an AIFC-registered trade finance facilitator. We connect commodity counterparties with structured capital and a disciplined path to execution.
Your partner in commodity trading
We help commodity flows from Central Asia reach global markets, with the right structure and the right banking partners.
We specialise in:
- Facilitating the financing of commodity flows from Central Asia to global markets
- Structuring secure transactions for metals, minerals and bulk commodities
- Vetted introductions to buyers, sellers and financiers
- End-to-end oversight from contract to payment
Enabling your trades
We take a trade from first screening to final payment.
Unlock financing
Access structured solutions to fund exports, imports and inventory without traditional barriers.
Ability to execute
End-to-end oversight from deal screening to logistics, drawing on our geopolitical, commercial and network expertise.
Trust and compliance
The AIFC framework supports transparent, risk-mitigated trades with enforceable documentation.
Scalability
Move commodities faster, scale operations and build repeatable trade flows.
Trade finance solutions
We arrange and facilitate trade finance instruments tailored to your needs.
| Instrument | Best for | CARF’s role |
|---|---|---|
| Letters of credit (LCs) | Secure payment for confirmed orders | Structure, bank introduction and documentation |
| Standby letters of credit (SBLCs) | Performance guarantees and credit enhancement | Arrangement and bank coordination |
| Pre-export finance | Working capital for producers and resellers | Arrangement and bank coordination |
| Inventory finance | Warehoused and in-transit goods | Collateral structuring and monitoring |
| Offtake financing | Secured purchase agreements | Buyer-seller bridging and credit enhancement |
CARF does not issue financial instruments. We structure transactions and arrange placements through regulated banking partners.
How we work together
A streamlined approach to secure and execute your trades.
Every mandate passes two gates: our own due diligence, and the final review of the trade finance firm.
Engagement and mandate
CARF engages with the exporter or importer, negotiates a mandate agreement and defines the transaction scope.
Due diligence
- Counterparty KYC and AML on exporter, importer and offtaker
- Commodity verification: volume, quality and assay reports
- Logistics and legal review: shipping, insurance and contracts
- Risk assessment and structuring: payment terms, collateral and guarantees
If due diligence does not pass: we notify the client and terminate the mandate.
Structuring proposal
We prepare a deal memo and structuring proposal and match the transaction with a pre-vetted trade finance firm.
Presentation and final review
We introduce and present the fully packaged deal. The trade finance firm conducts its final review.
If the deal is not approved: we share the feedback and restructure, or exit.
Closing and execution
We facilitate documentation and closing, then monitor execution through to completion. CARF earns its commission on completed transactions.
Who we work with
We partner with established commodity traders and companies.
- Verified trading history (2+ years preferred)
- Clear offtake or purchase agreements
- Compliance with international KYC and AML standards
- Transparent ownership and corporate structure
Commodities we facilitate
- Base and precious metalsCopper, gold
- Bulk mineralsIron ore, manganese
- Energy productsUranium, coal
- Agricultural commoditiesGrains, sugar, sunflower oil
- Oil and gas, including petrochemicalsDiesel, crude, bitumen
- Building materialsTimber, granite, cement
Discuss a trade
Share the commodity, volumes and counterparties, and we will assess how the trade can be structured.