MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Australian Government Introduces $30m “Emerging Market Impact Investment Fund” Targeting Small, Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Asia-Pacific

The Australian government recently launched a facility called the Emerging Market Impact Investment Fund (EMIIF) in an effort to support “positive social and development outcomes for poor communities in the Asia-Pacific.” The fund, which will execute loans, equity placements and guarantees, has an allocation of AUD 40 million (USD 30 million) phased over the period 2017 to 2021. It will invest in parcels of at least AUD 2 million (USD 1.5 million) in other funds that support small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) with a particular emphasis on SMEs managed by women. Entities that will serve as trustee and fund manager for EMIIF have yet to be named.

By Ryan Gauthier, Research Associate

Sources and Additional Resources

Direct contact with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

Press release:
https://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2017/jb_mr_171114.aspx

EMIIF
http://www.dfat.gov.au/emiif

Financial Standard article:
http://www.financialstandard.com.au/news/government-launches-emerging-market-impact-investment-fund-106884329

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