World Bank sanctions $500 million loan to SIDBI for MSME sector

By Newsgram Staff Writer

World Bank has approved a loan of $500 million to Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) which will be used to improve access to finance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in manufacturing and service sectors, Minsitry of Finance said.

The loan agreements for World Bank (IBRD) assistance of US$ 500 million to Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for MSME Growth Innovation and Inclusive Finance Project was signed here today between Government of India and the World Bank.

The objective of the project is to improve access to finance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in manufacturing and service sectors from early to growth stage, including through innovative financial products. The project also aims to support growth and employment creation through unlocking opportunities for firm growth that the financing would provide.

Funded MSMEs will be the primary beneficiaries. MSMEs for the purpose of this project will be firms that are considered as MSMEs under the MSME Act. The project specifically benefits SIDBI by enhancing its financial and institutional capacity in the areas of early stage, service and manufacturing sector financing, and also supports other Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs).

The project will have three components which are: (i) Spurring Early Stage and Risk Capital Finance, (ii) Supporting service sector financing models and (iii) Supporting finance to manufacturing MSMEs.

It is a loan with an implementation period of 5 years. Small Industries Development Bank of India is the implementing agency.

The Guarantee Agreement was signed by Mr. Tarun Bajaj, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of India and Mr. Onno Ruhl, Country Director (India) of World Bank on behalf of the World Bank. The Loan Agreement was signed by Mr. Kshatrapati Shivaji, CMD, SIDBI and Mr. Onno Ruhl, Country Director (India) of World Bank on behalf of the World Bank. Representative(s) from Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and officials from the World Bank, among others, were present.