98. Financial services of international companies: European Bank of Reconstruction and Development.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is a multilateral development bank, using investment as a tool to help build market economies. Project investments are the main of financial service. The EBRD offers a wide range of financial instruments and takes a flexible approach in structuring its financial products. The principal forms of direct financing that the EBRD may offer are loans, equity and guarantees. Loans are tailored to meet the particular requirements of a project. The credit risk may be taken entirely by the EBRD or partly syndicated to the market. Equity investments may be undertaken in a variety of forms. When the EBRD takes an equity stake, it expects an appropriate return on its investment and will only take a minority position. EBRS also provide guarantees to help borrowers gain access to financing through our Trade Facilitation Programme. One of the EBRD’s key aims is to support the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which are crucial to nurturing a private sector economy. To do this, we may make equity and loan financing available to SMEs through a range of intermediaries throughout the countries where we work. These intermediaries include banks in which the EBRD has an equity stake or with which it has signed a loan, and investment or venture capital funds in which the EBRD has made an investment. The EBRD may also provide direct financing and support for SMEs through a number of loan and equity facilities. Financial and operating leases for small businesses cover a range of goods such as commercial vehicles, equipment and machinery.

99. What do you know about financial services of international companies: International Finance Corporation (ifc)?

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is an international financial institution that offers investment, advisory, and asset management services to encourage private sector development in developing countries. The IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and is headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States. It was established in 1956 as the private sector arm of the World Bank Group to advance economic development by investing in strictly for-profit and commercial projects that purport to reduce poverty and promote development. The IFC's stated aim is to create opportunities for people to escape poverty and achieve better living standards by mobilizing financial resources for private enterprise, promoting accessible and competitive markets, supporting businesses and other private sector entities, and creating jobs and delivering necessary services to those who are poverty-stricken or otherwise vulnerable.[4] Since 2009, the IFC has focused on a set of development goals that its projects are expected to target. Its goals are to increase sustainable agriculture opportunities, improve health and education, increase access to financing for microfinance and business clients, advance infrastructure, help small businesses grow revenues, and invest in climate health.

The IFC is owned and governed by its member countries, but has its own executive leadership and staff that conduct its normal business operations. It is a corporation whose shareholders are member governments that provide paid-in capital and which have the right to vote on its matters. Originally more financially integrated with the World Bank Group, the IFC was established separately and eventually became authorized to operate as a financially autonomous entity and make independent investment decisions. It offers an array of debt and equity financing services and helps companies face their risk exposures, while refraining from participating in a management capacity. The corporation also offers advice to companies on making decisions, evaluating their impact on the environment and society, and being responsible. It advises governments on building infrastructure and partnerships to further support private sector development.