🔥 Queuing Up Dough for Women Entrepreneurs: EBRD's Kazakhstan Women in Business Programme II 🔥
International Finance Organization, EBRD, Designates $25 Million for Female-Owned Businesses in Kazakhstan
Hold the champagne, Ms. Kazakhstan entrepreneur! The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is about to pour up to $25 million into your business with a new term loan supported by leading microlender KMF. This exciting news was announced in a press release on April 24.
Photo credit: freepik
The EBRD's mission? Empowering women and leveling the playing field. This generous assist provides access to finance, shares knowledge, and dishes out some righteous technical advice to kickstart (or boost) your entrepreneurial journey.
This funding stems from the EBRD's Kazakhstan Women in Business Programme II (with a catchy name like that, who needs branding), backed by the Kazakh government. Remember, ladies, it's all about teamwork and building each other up.
So, who's the party sponsor behind this fabulous event? None other than KMF, an EBRD disciple since 2005, with over 27 years of experience in lighting the fuse for local micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This business powerhouse currently pumps out nearly a quarter of all microloans in Kazakhstan. Keep your eyes peeled for KMF's big transition into a Tier 2 financial institution in 2025.
Now, let's flashback to numbers: Since stepping into the scene, the EBRD has invested over 11 billion euros (that's nearly US$12.4 billion!) across 335 projects in Kazakhstan, with a smashing focus on supporting private entrepreneurship. Don't worry; this ain't your grandma's investment strategy.
In case you're curious, tantalizing details about the EBRD's broader strategic priorities can be found in their focus on areas such as gender equality, green development, and digital transformation. Fancy, huh?
Sources:
- EBRD press release, "EBRD supports women’s entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan with new financing of up to $25 million to KMF," April 24, 2023.
- EBRD, "Kazakhstan: Closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship," n.d.
- EBRD press release, "EBRD supports women-led businesses in Kazakhstan with up to $10 million senior loan to Bank CenterCredit," August 26, 2022.
- EBRD, "Kazakhstan," n.d.
- The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has pledged up to $25 million in financing to KMF, a Kazakh microlender, to empower women entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan through the Kazakhstan Women in Business Programme II.
- This finance will be used to provide access to funds, knowledge, and technical advice to support and boost women-owned businesses in Kazakhstan.
- Since 2005, KMF, the main sponsor of this initiative, has been an EBRD disciple, actively promoting and financing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Kazakhstan.
- The EBRD aims to invest $12.4 billion across 335 projects in Kazakhstan by 2025, focusing on areas like private entrepreneurship, green development, digital transformation, and gender equality.
- With its focus on women's health, health-and-wellness, and science, the EBRD's Kazakhstan Women in Business Programme II is a significant step towards creating a level playing field for women entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan's business landscape.
