Gargi Agarwal

Level Up: Unlocking Financial Potential In The Middle East

Welcome to this edition of Law Update, where we focus on the ever-evolving landscape of financial services regulation across the region. As the financial markets in the region continue to grow and diversify, this issue provides timely insights into the key regulatory developments shaping banking, investment, insolvency, and emerging technologies.

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Eyes
On 2025

Legal Updates in
Middle East & North Africa

2025 is set to be a game-changer for the MENA region, with legal and regulatory shifts from 2024 continuing to reshape its economic landscape. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, and Bahrain are all implementing groundbreaking reforms in sustainable financing, investment laws, labor regulations, and dispute resolution. As the region positions itself for deeper global integration, businesses must adapt to a rapidly evolving legal environment.

Our Eyes on 2025 publication provides essential insights and practical guidance on the key legal updates shaping the year ahead—equipping you with the knowledge to stay ahead in this dynamic market.

The leading law firm in the Middle East & North Africa region.

Gargi Agarwal

Associate

Biography

Gargi is an Associate specialising in Banking & Finance based in our Bahrain office.

Gargi works closely with our international, regional, and domestic clients advising them across the full spectrum of banking and finance matters, including trade finance, syndicated lending, Islamic finance, project finance, and regulatory work. She also has extensive experience in dealing with the Central Bank of Bahrain, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Bahrain Bourse and Notaries (Public and Private), particularly in relation to security creation in Bahrain.

Gargi is a regular contributor to thought leadership articles and publications. She assisted with developing the Financial Law Module of the Bahrain Professional Legal Practice Course (Bahrain LPC), a pilot programme developed by the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs and the judicial and legal studies bodies in Bahrain, and delivered the Financial Law Module to the 2022-2024 Bahrain LPC programme.

Gargi is recognised by Legal500 as Rising Star, Bahrain 2024.

Recent Experience

Represented The Government of Bahrain acting through the Ministry of Finance and National Economy and the CBB International Sukuk Programme Company W.L.L. as its lead local counsel in connection with the update of both the Global Medium Term Note Programme and the Trust Certificate Issuance Programme (together the “Programmes”) and the issuances of notes and certificates under the Programmes.
Acting as lead Bahrain counsel for Mashreqbank psc in relation to a BHD 130,000,000 (approximately) syndicated dual tranche Islamic and conventional term facility provided to Eagle Hills Diyar Company W.L.L. to refinance one of the biggest mixed use development project in Bahrain.
Acting as local counsel to GFH Financial Group B.S.C in an asset acquisition transaction, whereby GFH Financial Group B.S.C intends to acquire multiple assets from Ithmaar Bank, including corporate financing portfolio, customer deposits and numerous real estate assets in Bahrain and Pakistan.
Acting as both the lead and local counsel for The Housing Bank for Trade and Finance – Jordan in relation to real estate development financing agreement in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning in an aggregate amount of BHD 5,940,000 provided to Delmon Gate B.S.C. (c) (the main developer of the project) to construct and develop 131 social housing villas in Bahrain.
Acting as both the lead and local counsel to Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (“ICD”). As part of ICD’s mandate to support and sustain the development of the private sector in its member countries, ICD extends line of financing facilities to financial institutions operating in ICD’s member countries to be utilised for onward financing of eligible private sector entities in the relevant member country.
Acting as the lead counsel for National Bank of Bahrain B.S.C. in relation to a BHD16,900,000 term loan facility to be extended to St. Christopher’s School Bahrain.