IIB entered the leasing sector in the GCC region in 2006 through the acquisition of about 1% stake in Sabaak Leasing and Investment Company ("Sabaak"). Sabaak is a leasing and investment company incorporated in Kuwait, providing operating and financial leases as well as new and innovative products, all under Islamic principles. This investment is a strategic pre-IPO private placement transaction.

The Kuwaiti economy has been experiencing robust growth recently and the leasing industry in particular is extremely attractive given the large proportion of automotive and electronic equipment purchases being made on credit terms. This transaction further diversifies the broad-based investment portfolio of IIB.