Snapshot of our CTFP alumni
| Name | Muhammad Ahmed Khan Bugti |
| Job title | Head of Financial Institutions |
| Muhammad Ahmed’s profile | |
| Based in | Pakistan |
| Organisation | Bank AL Habib Limited |
Working closely with international banking relationships and complex trade finance operations, Muhammad Ahmed Khan enrolled in the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) programme to strengthen his technical grounding and align practical experience with globally recognised standards.
His interview highlights the value of having a single, integrated framework covering ICC rules, risk distribution, and sustainability-linked trade continue to reshape the industry. He also reflects on how the certification has enhanced confidence in discussions with correspondent banks and supported more strategic contribution at an institutional level.
What is your role and who do you work for?
I am the Head of Financial Institutions for Bank AL Habib Limited.
What was your motivation for enrolling on the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) certification? What problems or obstacles did you face that you needed the CTFP certification to help with?
My motivation for enrolling in the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) programme stemmed from my active involvement in managing international banking relationships and trade finance operations at a commercial bank. In my role, I regularly deal with complex trade structures, regulatory requirements, and cross-border risk assessments.
While I had extensive practical experience, I wanted to deepen my technical understanding of trade finance instruments, ICC rules such as UCP 600, URC, and URDG, supply chain finance, and risk distribution mechanisms in order to strengthen both strategic and operational decision-making.
Another important driver was the evolving global trade environment, marked by increasing compliance expectations, the digitisation of trade flows, and a growing shift towards sustainability-linked finance. The CTFP offered a structured and globally recognised curriculum that aligned well with these emerging challenges and allowed me to benchmark my knowledge against international best practice.
Prior to enrolling, one of the main obstacles I faced was the lack of a formal certification that integrated all aspects of trade finance – from traditional documentary credits to modern open account and supply chain solutions – within a single framework. Much of the training available in my region was fragmented, focusing only on specific areas such as UCP 600 or AML in trade. I was looking for a programme that combined regulatory, operational, and strategic perspectives, which the CTFP successfully provided.
Overall, the programme helped bridge the gap between hands-on experience and formalised, up-to-date global standards.
It enhanced my ability to analyse structured trade transactions, engage confidently with international counterparties, and contribute more effectively to trade finance strategy at an institutional level.
What has been the biggest benefit so far of completing the CTFP?
The biggest benefit of completing the CTFP has been the ability to apply globally standardised trade finance knowledge directly to real-world banking operations.
The programme deepened my understanding of risk participation, supply chain finance, and documentary credit rules such as UCP 600 and URDG 758, which has strengthened both policy formulation and transaction structuring within our financial institutions business.
It has also improved the quality of discussions with correspondent banks, enabling more informed negotiations and more effective risk assessment. In addition, the CTFP reinforced the importance of trade digitisation and sustainable trade practices, helping me align our trade finance approach with emerging international trends and expectations.
How has your CTFP certification been received locally by your employer, colleagues, and customers in your country and/or region?
The CTFP certification has been very well received within my institution and across the wider banking community. My employer viewed it as a strong value addition, recognising that the programme enhances both technical competence and international credibility in trade finance.
Colleagues frequently seek my guidance on complex transactions, particularly in areas such as risk participation, LC structuring, and compliance with ICC rules, which reflects the programme’s practical relevance.
At an institutional level, the certification has also helped reinforce confidence among correspondent banks and international partners, who value the fact that BAHL’s trade finance and financial institutions functions are supported by globally accredited professionals.
Within Pakistan’s banking sector, ICC certifications remain relatively uncommon. As a result, the CTFP has positioned me as a reference point for training and knowledge sharing, contributing to internal capability building and stronger alignment with international best practices.
