MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: International Finance Corporation (IFC), Qatar Development Bank (QDB) Expand Platform SME Toolkit in Qatar

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private-investment arm of the World Bank Group, and the nonprofit Qatar Development Bank (QDB) have launched the SME Toolkit, an online platform, in Qatar. The SME Toolkit provides entrepreneurs information and educational resources intended to assist in implementing improved business practices, accessing finance and entering new markets. The service is intended to “help smaller businesses improve their performance while supporting the development of firms outside of Qatar’s oil and gas sector” [1].

IFC’s SME Toolkit was launched in 2002 and is available in 32 countries and 18 languages. The platform hosts five million visitors annually. As of 2011, IFC has 182 member countries, total assets of USD 68.5 billion and total investment mobilization of USD 12.2 billion to 518 projects.

By Brendan Millan, Research Associate

About International Finance Corporation (IFC): A member of the World Bank Group, IFC offers loans, equity investments, advisory services and technical assistance to private companies with the intent of alleviating poverty and promoting open and competitive markets in developing countries. As of 2011, IFC has 182 member countries, total assets of USD 68.5 billion and total investment mobilization of USD 12.2 billion to 518 projects.

About Qatar Development Bank (QDB): Founded in 1997 in Doha, Qatar, QDB is a nonprofit bank focusing on investment in and the development of education, health care, tourism, industrial operations, agriculture, animal resources, fisheries and real estate. For the year 2010, QDB reported total assets of QAR 4 billion (USD 1.1 billion) and a gross loan portfolio of QAR 884 million (USD 243 million).

Sources and Resources:

[1] International Finance Corporation (IFC): “IFC Helps Support Smaller Business in Qatarwith New Web Platform” by Riham Mustafa.  http://www.ifc.org/IFCExt/pressroom/IFCPressRoom.nsf/0/A0B0CF70C3F5FB6B852579D5004BCA32

MicroCapital.org Article, April 18, 2011, “International Finance Corporation (IFC), Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) Launch ‘Arab Secured Transactions Initiative’ to Boost Lending to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)”, https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-international-finance-corporation-ifc-arab-monetary-fund-amf-launch-arab-secured-transactions-initiative-to-boost-lending-to-small-and-medium-sized-enterprises-smes/

MicroCapital.org Article, December 2, 2010, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: International Finance Corporation (IFC), Confederación de Cámaras Industriales de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos (CONCAMIN) and Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey Partner To Launch Web-Based Toolkit for Mexico”, https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-international-finance-corporation-ifc-confederacion-de-camaras-industriales-de-los-estados-unidos-mexicanos-concamin-and-instituto-tecnologico-y-de-estudios-superiores-de-mont/

MicroCapital.org story, July 16, 2010: “The International Finance Corporation (IFC) Pledges Support for Microfinance Sector and Better Access to Credit for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in Lesotho”, https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-the-international-finance-corporation-ifc-pledges-support-for-microfinance-sector-and-better-access-to-credit-for-small-and-medium-sized-businesses-in-lesotho/

MicroCapital.org story, March 9, 2010: “International Finance Corporation (IFC), IBM and Republic Bank Launch Software Platform for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Guyana”,https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-international-finance-corporation-ifc-ibm-and-republic-bank-launch-software-platform-for-small-and-medium-sized-enterprises-in-guyana/

MicroCapital Universe Profile: International Finance Corporation (IFC), https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=International+Finance+Corporation+%28IFC%29

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Qatar Development Bank (QDB), https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Qatar+Development+Bank+%28QDB%29

Browse the MicroCapital Universe and add your entry to the wiki at: https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/

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