Photo credits: World Bank Group
Asunción, Paraguay, June 10, 2022. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets, announced a new loan of up to $75 million in Sudameris Bank S.A.E.C.A (Sudameris), one of the leading firms in the Paraguayan financial sector. The loan will increase access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Paraguay, which in turn will have a positive impact on job creation and the economic recovery from the effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. Additionally, a trade line for up to $25 million was reinstated.
SMEs play a central role in the creation of dynamic, competitive, and inclusive economies, and are also important sources of net job growth in emerging markets. However, the formal SME finance gap is about US$4 billion in Paraguay, with around 20 percent of SMEs not having sufficient access to financial products. IFC and Sudameris will help close the financing gap for this key segment.
IFC’s support to Sudameris also includes a gender focus, allocating 30 percent of loan resources to women-owned SMEs, which represent almost a fifth of all SMEs in the country. With this commitment, the bank is expected to increase its portfolio of women-led SMEs, demonstrating the business opportunities presented by under-served sectors.
“With this financing, IFC continues to reinforce its commitment to the sustainable development of Paraguay,” said David Tinel, IFC’s regional manager for the Southern Cone. “This operation is well aligned with IFC’s strategy, which is focused on supporting more sustainable and inclusive growth through greater access to credit for SMEs, and especially for those led by women, by working with solid financial institutions.”
“IFC seeks to generate long-term partners to promote and achieve its mission. This loan builds on IFC’s strategic relationship with Sudameris, granting a long-term loan to promote access to credit for SMEs, with the aim of continuing to work together in the future,” said Marcelo Castellanos, IFC Regional Industry Manager.
Conor McEnroy, president of Banco Sudameris, highlighted that the institution’s strategy positions it in an excellent place to demonstrate the commercial viability of serving the SME segment in Paraguay, which has suffered a considerable contraction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This commitment with IFC will allow Sudameris to continue expanding its operations and increase its participation in the SME financing market, helping to reduce inequality in access to credit and promoting greater competitiveness of SMEs as key drivers of the Paraguayan economy.”
About IFC
IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2021, IFC committed a record $31.5 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
About Sudameris
Sudameris is a Paraguayan bank with a focus on commercial lending which provides a full range of lending products and services to corporates, SMEs, and individuals. The bank has experienced one of the strongest loan portfolio growth rates in the Paraguayan banking system since 2016. Sudameris is controlled by Abbeyfield Financial Holdings through 71.4 percent and 78.2 percent ownership of shares and voting rights, respectively. The Dutch development bank FMO, the international development bank of the Netherlands, holds 13.7 percent of the shares and 15 percent of the voting rights. Sudameris is headquartered in Asunción and has 19 branches across the country. The bank is rated “AApy” with a stable outlook by FixScr, an affiliate of Fitch Ratings.
This article was originally published by IFC-World Bank Group.
