Tuesday, November 18 2014 17:58

IFC provides a $3 million loan to FINCA UCO to increase access to finance for micro and small businesses


ArmInfo. IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is providing a $3 million loan to FINCA UCO, a leading microfinance institution in Armenia, to increase access to finance for micro and small businesses, helping them grow, create jobs, and promote shared prosperity. The relevant agreement was signed on November 18 by Hrachya Tokhmakhyan, General Director of FINCA UCO, and Manuel Reyes-Retana, IFC Portfolio Manager for Financial Institutions Group in Europe and Central Asia.

The loan, delivered in Armenian dram, will help FINCA expand lending to low-income entrepreneurs, especially in underserved rural areas, through its extensive network of branches across the country.

"In line with the company's mission, we continue to support micro entrepreneurs in Armenia," said Hrachya Tokhmakhyan, General Director of FINCA UCO. "This is IFC's second loan to FINCA and together with the ISDA Master Agreement signed today, it will help us make a difference in the lives of thousands of small entrepreneurs through local currency lending."

IFC provided its first local currency loan to FINCA UCO in 2013, enabling the microfinance institution to finance as many as 3,000 clients, up to 40 percent of whom were women entrepreneurs. 44% of the funds were placed in the agrarian sector. Actually, the new loan is the second tranche of IFC's credit line provided to the company in the amount of $7 million in the national currency.

"Credit availability is one of the key challenges for smaller businesses in Armenia. Our partnership with FINCA UCO is an important part of our strategy aimed at increasing financing of these enterprises," said Manuel Reyes-Retana, IFC Portfolio Manager for Financial Institutions Group in Europe and Central Asia. "These efforts can help create new opportunities for private sector development, improving the quality of life and reducing poverty in Armenia."

IFC and FINCA UCO also signed the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement, which will help FINCA UCO enter into risk management transactions to reduce foreign currency risks and support its borrowers with effective management of their balance sheets which are mainly run in local currency. This is IFC's first ISDA agreement in Armenia with a non-bank financial institution.

When commenting on ArmInfo's question, Manuel Reyes-Retana said that at the moment IFC's investment portfolio for Armenia amounts to nearly $125 million and the number of programs is 50. The aggregate investments of IFC total about $22 billion.

FINCA UCO is a subsidiary of FINCA Microfinance Holding Company, owned and managed by FINCA International, one of the world's largest microfinance organizations. IFC is an anchor investor in FINCA Microfinance Holding Company.

Armenia became a member and shareholder of IFC in 1995. Since then, IFC has invested more than $320 million in 52 projects across a range of sectors, including financial markets, manufacturing, and mining. IFC Advisory Services provides advice through projects focusing on the financial sector, sustainable energy, regulatory simplification, and food safety.

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. Working with private enterprises in about 100 countries, we use our capital, expertise, and influence to help eliminate extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. In FY14, we provided more than $22 billion in financing to improve lives in developing countries and tackle the most urgent challenges of development.

FINCA UCO CJSC, a subsidiary of FINCA Microfinance Holding Company owned and managed by FINCA International, with headquarters in Washington, DC, operates in Armenia since 1999. FINCA Int. serves over one and a half million people through its subsidiaries in 22 countries of Africa, Eurasia, the Middle East and South Asia and Latin America. In Armenia, FINCA's portfolio reached $61.7 million and 56,000 active clients by the end of October 2014.
POST A COMMENT
Input digits     


News
Double increase in turnover tax rate will stimulate transition to  common taxation system: Deputy MinisterDouble increase in turnover tax rate will stimulate transition to  common taxation system: Deputy Minister
Rocket Line - now for 60 months: Idram and IDBankRocket Line - now for 60 months: Idram and IDBank
Rising prices for services, going into shadows and closing businesses  - incomplete list of Rising prices for services, going into shadows and closing businesses  - incomplete list of "expectations" from revision of turnover tax  rate from SME Cooperation Association President
Liability for misrepresented information is proposed in ArmeniaLiability for misrepresented information is proposed in Armenia
Government proposes to make changes to car trade system within  Government proposes to make changes to car trade system within  "Trade-in" program
Armswissbank attracts us$ 10 million loan package from EBRD to support competitiveness and green transitionArmswissbank attracts us$ 10 million loan package from EBRD to support competitiveness and green transition
Armenian lawyers unwilling to pay taxes on universal basisArmenian lawyers unwilling to pay taxes on universal basis
EU Commissioner: EU will continue to contribute to economic  development of ArmeniaEU Commissioner: EU will continue to contribute to economic  development of Armenia
PM discusses opportunities for diversifying Armenian economy with WB,  IFC management PM discusses opportunities for diversifying Armenian economy with WB,  IFC management 
EBRD President considers programs implemented by Bank useful for  development of private sector in ArmeniaEBRD President considers programs implemented by Bank useful for  development of private sector in Armenia
EBRD lends up to US$ 10 million to Armeconombank for MSME on-lendingEBRD lends up to US$ 10 million to Armeconombank for MSME on-lending
Armenia benefits greatly from influx of capital and IT specialists -  EBRD chief economistArmenia benefits greatly from influx of capital and IT specialists -  EBRD chief economist
Finance Ministry, French Development Agency sign cooperation  agreement for 2024-2027Finance Ministry, French Development Agency sign cooperation  agreement for 2024-2027
Idram Junior and Koreez signed a memorandum of cooperationIdram Junior and Koreez signed a memorandum of cooperation
During the 33rd EBRD Business Forum, Ardshinbank hosted a panel discussion on economic and trade sanctions.During the 33rd EBRD Business Forum, Ardshinbank hosted a panel discussion on economic and trade sanctions.
Government to allocate additional AMD 3 billion to finance state  order for healthcareGovernment to allocate additional AMD 3 billion to finance state  order for healthcare
EBRD provides $10 million loan to ArmSwissBan to support  competitiveness and green transition of MSMEsEBRD provides $10 million loan to ArmSwissBan to support  competitiveness and green transition of MSMEs
Pankin: Armenia`s suspension of CSTO funding isn`t tragedyPankin: Armenia`s suspension of CSTO funding isn`t tragedy
Armenian government approves program for providing housing to  families from Artsakh; expenses estimated at  AMD 10-12 billion Armenian government approves program for providing housing to  families from Artsakh; expenses estimated at  AMD 10-12 billion 
EBRD Governors re-elect President Odile Renaud-Basso for second termEBRD Governors re-elect President Odile Renaud-Basso for second term
EBRD, USAID to develop transport infrastructure of Armenia,  Azerbaijan, Georgia EBRD, USAID to develop transport infrastructure of Armenia,  Azerbaijan, Georgia 
No specific dates for the entry into force of the law on compulsory  life insurance for tourists visiting Georgia - RA MFANo specific dates for the entry into force of the law on compulsory  life insurance for tourists visiting Georgia - RA MFA
Pashinyan: all those who have the necessary skills, abilities and  desire can make a profit in ArmeniaPashinyan: all those who have the necessary skills, abilities and  desire can make a profit in Armenia
Odile Renaud-Basso: Armenian economy continues to grow despite  numerous negative factorsOdile Renaud-Basso: Armenian economy continues to grow despite  numerous negative factors
Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures refrains  from specifying North-South Road Corridor Investment Program`s  implementation costs and deadlines Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures refrains  from specifying North-South Road Corridor Investment Program`s  implementation costs and deadlines 
EBRD improves Armenia`s GDP growth forecast for 2024 from previous  4.5% to updated 6.2%EBRD improves Armenia`s GDP growth forecast for 2024 from previous  4.5% to updated 6.2%
EBRD promises unprecedented investments in Armenian economyEBRD promises unprecedented investments in Armenian economy
FMO provided Ardshinbank with a guarantee for a credit portfolio of 20 million US dollarsFMO provided Ardshinbank with a guarantee for a credit portfolio of 20 million US dollars
Lending for construction of southern section of Sisian-Kajaran road  will be largest program ever implemented by EBRD in Armenia - Bank  President Lending for construction of southern section of Sisian-Kajaran road  will be largest program ever implemented by EBRD in Armenia - Bank  President 
French Development Agency, Armenian government to expand cooperation  areas and programs` scope French Development Agency, Armenian government to expand cooperation  areas and programs` scope 
The Power of One Dram Sums up the Two-Year Program with Teach for ArmeniaThe Power of One Dram Sums up the Two-Year Program with Teach for Armenia
Noubar Afeyan willing to use his potential to strengthen Armenia Noubar Afeyan willing to use his potential to strengthen Armenia 
Ministry of Economy of Armenia denies that growth in agricultural  exports is due to re-exportsMinistry of Economy of Armenia denies that growth in agricultural  exports is due to re-exports
Finance Minister: Armenia`s GDP generation growth potential increased  from 4-4.5% to 5.5-6%Finance Minister: Armenia`s GDP generation growth potential increased  from 4-4.5% to 5.5-6%
EBRD funds customs and logistics centre in SyunikEBRD funds customs and logistics centre in Syunik
Grigori Zakaryan: “Capital markets have a crucial for economic development.”Grigori Zakaryan: “Capital markets have a crucial for economic development.”
Ambassador of Kazakhstan: priorities for development of Eurasian integration proposed by Armenia will allow us to intensify mutually  beneficial cooperation within EAEUAmbassador of Kazakhstan: priorities for development of Eurasian integration proposed by Armenia will allow us to intensify mutually  beneficial cooperation within EAEU
EBRD and the European Union are joining forces with Acba bank to boost the availability of funding for Armenian MSMEsEBRD and the European Union are joining forces with Acba bank to boost the availability of funding for Armenian MSMEs
Thanos Arvanitis: The time has come for Armenia to accelerate reformsThanos Arvanitis: The time has come for Armenia to accelerate reforms
Armenia to host 33rd EBRD Business Forum with flagship sponsorship of ArdshinbankArmenia to host 33rd EBRD Business Forum with flagship sponsorship of Ardshinbank
EAEU economic operators will become more recognizable when carrying  out foreign economic activitiesEAEU economic operators will become more recognizable when carrying  out foreign economic activities
Martin Galstyan: If background is favorable, reduction in key rate  will result in lending rates decreaseMartin Galstyan: If background is favorable, reduction in key rate  will result in lending rates decrease
About 75% of Armenia`s exports are precious metals and stones, which  speaks of vulnerability of Armenia`s economyAbout 75% of Armenia`s exports are precious metals and stones, which  speaks of vulnerability of Armenia`s economy
92% tax revenues recorded in Armenia in 1st quarter of 2024 92% tax revenues recorded in Armenia in 1st quarter of 2024 
IDBank issues the 2nd tranche of dollar bonds of 2024IDBank issues the 2nd tranche of dollar bonds of 2024
Armenia to be next country to host ACE programArmenia to be next country to host ACE program
Armenia agrees to EBRD expansion Armenia agrees to EBRD expansion 
Alkis  Drakinos : It is necessary to first pick the low hanging fruit  to ensure developmentAlkis  Drakinos : It is necessary to first pick the low hanging fruit  to ensure development
CBA Governor: Overheating of prices in Armenian real estate market  may have ranged from 20-30%CBA Governor: Overheating of prices in Armenian real estate market  may have ranged from 20-30%
Government writes off 469 financial obligations of Artsakh citizens  on loans secured by goldGovernment writes off 469 financial obligations of Artsakh citizens  on loans secured by gold
Food products, services cause of 0.8% inflation in Jan-Apr 2024 Food products, services cause of 0.8% inflation in Jan-Apr 2024 
Armenia`s Deputy Premier receives IMF delegationArmenia`s Deputy Premier receives IMF delegation
Armenian Economy Minister travels to USA on week-long working visitArmenian Economy Minister travels to USA on week-long working visit
Armenia is trapped in Armenia is trapped in "Dutch disease" - economist
“By Your Side”: IDBank`s new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens“By Your Side”: IDBank`s new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens
Team Telecom Armenia develops Be Free packageTeam Telecom Armenia develops Be Free package
Armenia scares with its high prices: Economist sounds alarm due to  reduction in exports of servicesArmenia scares with its high prices: Economist sounds alarm due to  reduction in exports of services
Large crayfish farming complex to be built in Shirak: volume of  investments totals AMD 300 millionLarge crayfish farming complex to be built in Shirak: volume of  investments totals AMD 300 million
Eurowings launches Berlin-Yerevan-Berlin flightsEurowings launches Berlin-Yerevan-Berlin flights
Russia bans sugar exports; 28 thousand tons allowed to be exported to  ArmeniaRussia bans sugar exports; 28 thousand tons allowed to be exported to  Armenia
Read more


Exchange rates
17.05.2024
RUB4.26-0.01
USD387.60-0.49
EUR420.12-1.81
GBP490.31-1.36
CAD284.16-0.61
JPY24.87-0.22
CNY53.63-0.14
CHF426.22-3.84