CURRENT PROJECTS
Azerbaijan & Central Asia Microfinance Transformation Support Project
Azerbaijan-Central Asia Leasing Facility
Azerbaijan and Central Asia Primary Mortgage Market Development Project
Central Asia Corporate Governance Project
Kyrgyz Republic Business Enabling Environment Project
COMPLETED PROJECTS
CURRENT PROJECTS
Azerbaijan & Central Asia Microfinance Transformation Support Project
2008 – present
Supported with funds from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and IFC
The Project is centered in Almaty and its objectives are to assist and support Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) based in Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Kazakhstan. It focuses on those institutions that wish to transform their activities from being traditionally credit based to being able to provide their customers with a broader range of financial services. Normally these services would include the acceptance of deposits and could also require profiling of institutions before they are able to obtain a full banking license.
In keeping with the IFC strategy for Central Asia, which is to support competitiveness of the private sector in areas with social development aspects such as micro loans to the poor, IFC brings additionality through the Project by aiming to combine advisory services with investment funds. This leverages the effectiveness of both components in enabling MFIs to expand their outreach and services and thereby help their clients to raise their standards of living and improve their livelihoods.
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Kyrgyz Republic Business Enabling Environment Project
www.ifc.org/beekg
2008 – present
Supported with funds from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO)
To improve the business climate and help facilitate the growth of the private sector in Kyrgyz Republic, the project works with the government to identify and remove regulatory barriers to business entry, operations. The project monitors and assesses the effectiveness of these reforms through surveys of the private sector, and increases the legal awareness of entrepreneurs through outreach and advocacy work.
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Central Asia Corporate Governance Project
www.ifc.org/cacgp
2006 – present
Supported with IFC funds
The project helps local joint stock companies and banks strengthen their corporate governance practices with a view to improving their operations and increasing their ability to attract investment and financing. In addition, the project works with policymakers to improve the regulatory framework for corporate governance and increase the region's overall investment climate and the business-enabling environment. The project was launched in Kazakhstan and is currently expanding to Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.
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Azerbaijan and Central Asia Primary Mortgage Market Development
Phase 1, 2005 – 2006, supported with funds from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO)
Phase 2, 2006 – present, supported with funds from the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO)
The project focuses on improving the housing finance legislative framework in Azerbaijan and Central Asia by building institutional capacity for mortgage lending and raising mortgage awareness. By partnering with policymakers, banks, and key stakeholders in the mortgage market, the project works to increase access to affordable housing in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
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Azerbaijan-Central Asia Leasing Facility
www.ifc.org/acalf
2005 – present
Supported with funds from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO)
The project facilitates the development of the leasing industry in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan by strengthening the capacity of selected financial institutions, improving their Management Information Systems, and facilitating improvements in the regulatory framework for leasing in each country.
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The Challenge
In 2005, aimed at further development and increase of leasing industry in the region, IFC established the $30 million Azerbaijan-Central Asia Leasing Investment Facility (ACALF). The Facility evolved out of former SECO-funded leasing market development projects implemented by IFC in the region. In addition to investments, a more company targeted advisory services effort was required to build institutional capacity and in particular to strengthen the leasing business of institutions.
The IFC Approach
IFC launched a three-year dedicated Advisory Services Project that works closely with 12 Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) to strengthen their leasing practices and procedures. The project provides training in 18 modules that cover a range of topics including corporate governance, risk management, leasing policies, internal control and audit. The project also offers the companies individual consultations to develop internal policies, guidelines, and procedures tailored to each participating institution. It also helps each PFI upgrade Management Information Systems to meet international standards. To improve the regulatory framework for leasing, the project also works with governmental bodies on policy aspects related to leasing.
Achievements to Date as of July 1, 2008
- Contributed to a market growth in leasing of $234.1 million in Azerbaijan and Central Asia since 2001
- Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) have engaged in more than $110 million in leasing transactions since working with the project and have implemented 47 new policies and procedures
- Over 2007, PFIs increased their leasing portfolio by 44%
- The project has enabled client companies to attract $29 million in additional investment
- Helped governments draft and adopt 7 laws to facilitate leasing, including amendments to the Tax Code of Kyrgyz Republic and a new Tax Code in Uzbekistan
- The project developed 31 training modules, training 576 people in areas such as risk management, HR management, financial analysis, and monitoring of leases
