The MSME sector is a fundamental actor of the region's economy and competitiveness

Tegucigalpa, June 27, 2019.- Increasingly and with additional impact, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) promotes access to credit for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through regional financial intermediation programs. Today marks MSME Day and is a recognition of the sector's work, which has the financial support and technical assistance of the Bank.

The MSME sector is a fundamental actor and engine for the region's  economy and competitiveness. Likewise, CABEI has a program that proposes an integral approach to facilitate access to financial services and credit, new technologies and the internationalization of markets.

CABEI Development Finance Coordinator, Mr. Sergio Aviles, explained that, "As a Development Bank, CABEI makes available to financial institutions, intermediaries and the business sector, programs and projects with better conditions in order to reactivate the economy by improving the region's competitiveness and investment climate."

He added that at a regional level MSMEs benefit from the intermediated credit operations that CABEI has been carrying out through its Global Credit Line product, through which resources are channeled. Noteworthy resource sources include the Government of Germany , the European Union, the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Government of Mexico, the Government of Spain, the OPEC Fund for International Development and recently the Green Climate Fund.

Creators of employment and prosperity
The Bank's programs and initiatives are aimed at supporting MSMEs or enterprises that generate a positive impact on society or the environment with their projects. The most prominent programs include: 

•    MSME Support Program: From its implementation in 1996 through 2018, it has made disbursements channeling resources amounting to of US$2.41 billion, benefiting 659,726 enterprises and generating 947,472 jobs at a  regional level.

•    Support Program for MSMEs with a focus on Agribusiness: Since its implementation in 2011 through  2018, it has made disbursements channeling resources amounting to US$20.2 million, benefiting with the strengthening of 6,670 jobs since 2010 at a regional level.

•    Support program for biodiversity-friendly MSMEs: Since its implementation in 2008 through 2018, it has made disbursements channeling resources amounting to US$56.56 billion, thus benefitting with 26,160 jobs since 2010.

•    Support Program for MSMEs affected by Natural Disasters - available only in Guatemala: Since its implementation in 2008 through 2018, it has made disbursements channeling resources amounting to US$31.5 million, benefitting 33,769 micro-entrepreneurs with employment.

•    The Initiative for the Development Businesses Ideas and Acceleration of Central American MSMEs (DINAMICA): Since its implementation in 2017 through 2018, it has made disbursements totaling US$33,239,347.91, benefiting with 11,867 jobs. This program facilitates financing for new, young or innovative MSMEs with a maximum number of up to 100 employees and  a maximum financing amount of US$1,000,000.

•    Regional Financing Program for Women Entrepreneurs (FEM): Since its implementation in 2017 through 2018, it has made disbursements channeling resources amounting to US$13,396,220.68, benefiting 4,271 households.

•    Green MSME Initiative: With a focus on projects to support MSMEs in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency projects, since its implementation in 2011 through 2018, it has disbursed a total of US$64,992,402.01.

This CABEI effort is carried out within the framework of its Institutional Strategy "Integrating Sustainable Development and Competitiveness" as part of its focus area of financial intermediation and finance for development.