Serbia—Metals Banka—Western Balkans SME Finance Framework (SMB)

Client: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Duration: 2006-2008

Region: Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Country: Serbia

In the Western Balkans, only a few financial intermediaries have sought out small business customers, and conservative collateral requirements and cumbersome credit procedures have further limited small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) access to finance. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development established an SME finance facility to support Western Balkans countries in the transition to a market economy by strengthening the financial system and by increasing SMEs’ access to finance via the banking system, thereby enabling the SMEs to increase production and employment. DAI worked with Metals Banka to incorporate high-quality lending as an integral part of its ongoing business activities.

Select Results

Implemented a technical assistance programme accompanied by a €7 million credit line for on-lending to SMEs to help the bank strengthen its SME lending function.
Advised the bank on product development, internal lending policies, and procedures and training for SME lending staff to increase SME lending.

Democratic Republic of the Congo—Essor: For an Environment Conducive to Investment

Essor acted at meso (business associations) and macro (government) levels to improve the incomes of the poor through the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), including women- and youth-owned and ones in rural areas, through reforms to the country’s investment climate and policies.