DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, June 2026 — BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria) has appointed Sidra Taj as Head of Corporate Lending – MENA and Executive Director, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to expanding its corporate and institutional banking presence across the Middle East and North Africa region.
In her new role, Sidra will lead corporate lending activities across MENA, overseeing loan origination and financing solutions for sovereigns, corporates, government-related entities, financial institutions, and strategic clients across the region. She will play a key role in connecting clients with BBVA’s global banking network, sector expertise, and structured financing capabilities as the bank continues to deepen its footprint in one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions.
Commenting on her appointment, Sidra highlighted her enthusiasm for supporting sovereign, corporate, and institutional clients while helping BBVA strengthen its presence across the MENA market through innovative financing solutions and long-term strategic partnerships.
Sidra brings nearly two decades of experience in corporate finance, syndicated lending, project finance, structured finance, sovereign financing, capital markets, and investment banking across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Prior to joining BBVA, she spent more than eight years with Mashreq Corporate & Investment Banking Group as Director – Syndications & Loan Distribution. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in originating, underwriting, structuring, and distributing financing transactions worth several billions of dollars across sovereigns, sovereign wealth funds, government-related entities, private corporations, financial institutions, family offices, developers, contractors, and financial sponsors.
Her experience spans a broad spectrum of financing structures including syndicated loans, structured corporate lending, sustainability-linked loans, leveraged buyouts, project finance, capital call facilities, trade finance, pre-export finance, contract finance, and advisory assignments. She worked across diverse sectors including infrastructure, power generation, ports, oil and gas, telecommunications, real estate, healthcare, chemicals, cement, retail, and financial services.
Earlier at Mashreqbank, Sidra worked in Corporate Finance Origination and Execution, where she was responsible for identifying new business opportunities, structuring customized financing solutions, and executing transactions through successful financial close. Her work included acquisition finance, structured lending, syndicated financing, and complex corporate transactions across the GCC and broader regional markets.
Before relocating to the UAE, Sidra spent more than five years with Habib Bank Limited (HBL) in Pakistan as Senior Manager – Project Finance and Investment Banking. During this period, she advised on and arranged several landmark project finance and debt syndication transactions across telecommunications, chemicals, agriculture, infrastructure, ports, cement, and power generation sectors. She played an active role in financing major energy projects, including supporting the development and financial structuring of Pakistan’s first wind Independent Power Producer (IPP), while also contributing to advisory assignments for future renewable energy projects.
She began her investment banking career with United Bank Limited (UBL) in the Equity and Advisory Team within the bank’s Investment Banking Group.
Throughout her career, Sidra has built extensive expertise in syndicated lending, corporate finance, project finance, debt capital markets, structured lending, acquisition finance, sovereign financing, sustainability-linked financing, financial advisory, relationship management, and cross-border transaction execution. Her deep understanding of regional markets combined with international transaction experience positions her strongly to support BBVA’s strategic growth ambitions in the MENA region.
Her appointment comes as BBVA continues to strengthen its international corporate and investment banking platform, focusing on delivering innovative financing solutions to clients operating across key growth sectors and emerging markets.
About BBVA
BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria) is a global financial services group headquartered in Spain and one of the world’s leading banking institutions. With a presence in more than 25 countries and serving over 70 million customers globally, BBVA provides a broad range of retail, corporate, investment, and digital banking services. The bank is recognized for its leadership in digital transformation, sustainable finance, and innovation, helping individuals, businesses, and institutions access opportunities and achieve long-term growth in an increasingly connected world.
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