Japan invests in Global Finance Program for emerging markets

With a contribution of about $1 million, Japan has become the first donor country to provide financial support to the International Finance Corp.’s Global Trade Finance Program.

IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, launched the Global Trade Finance Program in October 2005 to promote trade flows between emerging markets.

In 2006, IFC complemented the program with a technical assistance and training initiative for local banks to help build capacity in trade finance operations, reduce transaction costs, and link to a leading network of correspondent bank partners.

"IFC welcomes Japan’s support for the Global Trade Finance Program," Jyrki Koskelo, director of IFC’s Global Financial Markets Department, said.

"Technical assistance and training of local banks will be an integral part of the program. This will assist banks in emerging markets as they develop and scale up their trade finance operations. We expect the demand for our program to grow over the next two years, and we appreciate donor countries further support of our efforts."

In its first 14 months of operations, the program facilitated 592 transactions with a total value of about $559 million, 75 percent of them in frontier countries. Over 79 percent of the transactions have benefited small and midsize importers and exporters in developing countries.

The support of the government of Japan, and Japanese companies and banks, is crucial in helping IFC develop the private sector in emerging markets.

This project is a perfect example of how IFC can use support from donor governments to develop local banks and promote trade," Laurence Carter, director of IFC’s Small and Medium Enterprise Department, said.

The Global Trade Finance Program supports more than 700 exporters and importers worldwide, including Japanese industries that are doing trade businesses with emerging markets.

The World Bank Group views trade as a vital way to promote development and reduce poverty. Countries that have strengthened their links to the international economy through trade and investment have grown more rapidly.

The program enables frontier countries to access the market and support the growth of small and medium enterprises.

The IFC is the largest multilateral provider of financing for private enterprise in developing countries. It finances private sector investments, mobilizes capital in international financial markets, facilitates trade, helps clients improve social and environmental sustainability, and provides technical assistance and advice to businesses and governments.

From its founding in 1956 through fiscal year 2006, IFC has committed more than $56 billion of its own funds for private sector investments in the developing world and mobilized an additional $25 billion in syndications for 3,531 companies in 140 developing countries.

With the support of funding from donors, it has also provided more than $1 billion in technical assistance and advisory services.