English Abstract
Abstract :
This research is about a new idea in project implementation, involving several separate and independent topics: project financing, Islamic financing, Public Private Participations (PPP) Projects and blockchain technology, bringing out the synergy in their combination. This research establishes an alternative financial instrument to create a sustainable system for financing combining the principles of Project Financing, Islamic Financing, Public Private Partnership and Blockchain technology. In this regard, discussions were held with the main stakeholders in Bahrain for Projects and Financing viz. the Central Bank of Bahrain, Ministry of Finance and National Economy, Bahrain Fintech Bay, Economic Development Board, Islamic Banks and Ministry of Works, Municipalities' Affairs and Urban Planning. The chosen project is a new 25 km long dual 3-lane national highway along with three grade separated junctions, two toll plazas and associated works like service diversions, other utilities, landscaping etc. In a conventional public private project implementation, the financing is furnished by a special purpose vehicle (SPV), with equity and debt. In this project, the entire financing requirement is obtained through Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT). The SPV comes out with an initial token offering and the NFTs are later traded in an exchange run by the SPV and monitored by the national authority. The exchange will allow for trading in the NFTs establishing a healthy secondary market. The NFTs earn back their investment with returns from road tariffs. This classic ring-fenced Project arrangement exemplifies the synergy between Islamic Finance and Project Finance. Blockchain technology is evolving at a rapid pace, and it is expected that it will play a key role in project financing in future.
