ICBC's fledgling leasing arm spreads its wings

Offshore deals help firm to expand in overseas markets, reports Wang Wen.

A newly built Airbus 320aircraft took off from its factory in Toulouse, France, on July 3 bound for Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal-the first airplane of the fledgling Himalaya Airlines.

The occasion was significant not only for the startup carrier but also for ICBC Financial Leasing Co Ltd, a specialist leasing operation based in the China (Tianjin) Pilot Free Trade Zone, because the deal was its first involving two overseas customers.