New IFC and Microfinance Bank of Azerbaijan Initiative to Provide Local Suppliers with Greater Access to Finance
In Washington, D.C.
Thoko Moyo
Phone: +1 (202) 458-8517
E-mail:
tmoyo@ifc.org
Baku, Azerbaijan, May
16, 2007—IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, and
the Micro Finance Bank of Azerbaijan today announced the launch of
a Supplier Finance Facility to improve
access to finance for local small and medium enterprise suppliers to the
oil and gas industry in Azerbaijan.
The $15 million investment project is led by IFC in partnership with BP,
the transnational energy company, and its co-venturers, who are shareholders
in a number of oil and gas projects in Azerbaijan.
“Insufficient collateral is one of
the main factors that limits access to finance for small and medium enterprises,
slowing their development. The Supplier Finance Facility is designed to
address this problem and will help us boost SME development in Azerbaijan,”
said Andrew Pospielovsky,
General Manager
of the Micro Finance Bank of Azerbaijan.
The SFF is a joint-credit facility funded
by BP on behalf of its co-venturers, IFC, and MFBA. Loans to local suppliers
are partially backed by the local companies’ contracts with BP.
“This project is a great example of
how IFC can bring together production companies and financial institutions
to improve access to finance for local SMEs. Supplier finance is an exciting,
new initiative, and we hope to develop similar projects in the future,”
said Jyrki Koskelo, IFC Director for Global Financial Markets.
Local companies eligible to receive
loans from the facility will be prequalified by the BP-operated Enterprise
Centre. Launched in May 2002, the center serves as a one-stop shop to help
SMEs develop their businesses to support major oil and gas developments
in Azerbaijan.
“This project improves access to finance
for smaller business, while helping them leverage linkages with larger
companies. It is a good example of how IFC can work to increase the value
added that large projects in the oil and gas sector can bring to host countries,
their businesses, and local communities,” said Somit Varma, IFC Associate
Director for Oil, Gas, Mining, and Chemicals.
“Through the implementation of this
project, IFC recognizes the importance of developing the oil and gas service
sector for Azerbaijan’s long-term growth,” said Shahbaz Mavaddat, IFC
Director for Southern Europe and Central Asia. “This project also highlights
the very positive role SMEs can play,” he added.
About IFC
IFC, the private sector arm of the World
Bank Group, promotes open and competitive markets in developing countries.
IFC supports sustainable private sector companies and other partners
in generating productive jobs and delivering basic services, so that people
have opportunities to escape poverty and improve their lives. Through FY06,
IFC Financial Products committed more than $56 billion in funding for private
sector investments and mobilized an additional $25 billion in syndications
for 3,531 companies in 140 developing countries. IFC Advisory Services
and donor partners have provided more than $1 billion in program support
to build small enterprises, to accelerate private participation in infrastructure,
to improve the business enabling environment, to increase access to finance,
and to strengthen environmental and social sustainability. For more information,
please visit www.ifc.org.
The IFC Business Linkages program helps
connect SMEs to larger firms that sponsor IFC investment projects, creating
jobs and generating income in local communities while benefiting IFC clients.
About the Micro Finance Bank of Azerbaijan
MFBA is a full-service bank owned by
IFC, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Black Sea
Trade and Development Bank, KfW Development Bank, Access Microfinance Holding,
and LFS Financial Systems GmbH, a German consulting company that manages
the bank.
MFBA’s mission is to be the leading
provider of financial services to privately owned micro, small, and medium
enterprises in Azerbaijan. It currently serves over 25,000 clients, including
more than 18,000 businesses, through 13 branches across the country.
About BP in Azerbaijan
BP and its co-venturers are implementing
world-class oil and gas development and export projects in the region.
These projects present a great opportunity to make a positive difference
to the people of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. In Azerbaijan, these
regional development and community programs focus on community investment,
enterprise development, and effective governance.
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