Nour G. Jarrar’s Post

"Guarantees can be the final missing piece to unlock private capital in many lower-income countries in dire need of sustainable infrastructure." Read our blog to discover how the World Bank Group is leveraging this potential for impactful development. http://wrld.bg/1vWC50SBSNl   The World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation

Unlocking private investments in the poorest and most fragile countries is as crucial as it is challenging. IDA’s Private Sector Window (PSW) uses #BlendedFinance to catalyze #privatesector investments that might not otherwise happen. The PSW has successfully helped IFC - International Finance Corporation and MIGA enter new countries and sectors without distorting markets. IEG findings indicate that the PSW has passed the proof-of-concept stage and can now be further leveraged and scaled. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3vLy77g

Unlocking private investments in the poorest and most fragile countries is as crucial as it is challenging. IDA’s Private Sector Window (PSW) uses #BlendedFinance to catalyze #privatesector investments that might not otherwise happen. The PSW has successfully helped IFC - International Finance Corporation and MIGA enter new countries and sectors without distorting markets. IEG findings indicate that the PSW has passed the proof-of-concept stage and can now be further leveraged and scaled. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3U42oIT

One of our missions is to support the private sector in creating jobs, opportunities, and solutions for the poorest and most fragile communities. We applaud the efforts of MIGA and IFC - International Finance Corporation to use the IDA’s Private Sector Window (PSW) to mobilize private investments in these challenging markets, using blended finance to reduce the risks and barriers for investors12 Blended finance is a method that uses development finance and philanthropic funds to leverage private capital flows to emerging and frontier markets, resulting in positive outcomes for both investors and communities. Blended finance can help fill the financing gap for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, by attracting commercial capital towards projects that contribute to sustainable development, such as renewable energy, health, education, infrastructure, and climate change mitigation and adaptation

2023 Sustainable Finance Day I was a panelist at the Sustainable Finance Day 2023 on 6th December 2023 co organised by FC4S, NCIC, FMDQ, Microsoft, Meta and Africahacks. The theme was: "Improving Flows of Global Sustainable Finance to Africa: From Promise to Cash." In part, I emphasised that we should not be about hustling for "sustainability finance dole" but ensure we are intent on and systematically achieving real sustainability on the ground. We can change the trajectory of our development journey by embracing authentic sustainability as a business model for national and business governance, innovation and creation of thick value for all stakeholders. We must seek to seize the opportunity of the global economic and social inflection point by reconfiguring all systems to align with measurable sustainability. That means, utilising the global gap for authentic sustainability to position Nigeria as a next generation economy. If China utilised the market economy model of economic regulation and globalisation to move 600 million plus citizens into the middle class in less than two decades, why can't we find an equally exploratory pragmatic methodology utilising available models and new global norm/trend gaps? Yes we can!

Proud of our IFC team in the Asia and the Pacific for their dedication to creating impact with our work in the fiscal year! In #Bangladesh, we committed $752 million in FY 23, which is a 22 percent increase in our investment volume from last year. Our program included working capital support for Prime Bank and BRAC Bank to help support the trade finance requirements of the banks’ SME importers-and exporters-clients; financing to Meghna Group and AgorCorp Intl Limited – a leading Singapore based agri-commodity trader – to improve food security in Bangladesh at a time of rising commodity prices amidst a global shortfall of staple crops. We also had another round of equity investment in Chaldal – a leading online grocery supplier – at a time when venture capital fundraising environment has slowed globally. This year we concluded the Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund (BICF) program, which had been launched in 2007. The program initiated key reforms to support private sector growth including the enactment of the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority and its relevant policy framework; and in the establishment of the award winning One Stop Services (OSS). Our FIG Advisory and Upstream team focused on building capacity for our portfolio clients around risk management practices and operational sustainability. The team also organized roundtables with multiple stakeholders on affordable housing to identify the challenges constraining the development of the sector and solutions to these challenges. They collaborated with Creating Market Advisory teams and provided support to Bangladesh Bank in developing digital banking guidelines, Non-Performing Loans (NPL) resolution framework – including private sector operated Asset Management Company (AMC) – and Risk-Based Supervision framework for the banking sector. Our PPP team received a mandate from Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) to provide transaction advisory services for the newly built Patenga Container Terminal. The terminal is an extension of Chittagong Port and will augment container handling capacity by 15%. IFC is expected to support CPA in in selecting a private sector operator who will equip, operate and maintain the terminal. And together, with the World Bank, we published the Climate Country Development Report (CCDR) for Bangladesh and unveiled the new Country Partnership Framework FY23-27 that will strategically guide our work in the coming years. Over the next 5 years, we are targeting an ambitious $5 billion program focused on competitiveness and diversification; financial and social inclusion; and sustainability and resilience.

Another impactful and a transformative year of supporting the Asia Pacific region in alleviating poverty, improving resilience and increasing prosperity in the face of overlapping crises and challenges. Amid challenges on multiple fronts, we have had a good year in #SriLanka and #Maldives too – from supporting Sri Lanka through an innovative cross-currency swap facility to helping Maldives connect to the internet global superhighway via a state-of-the-art submarine cable system. We’ve stepped up during uncertain times, and nothing would’ve been possible if not for the great teams across IFC! Looking forward to yet another great year ahead, fostering a resilient future for all.

Explainer Series |Capital Structure and Financing Decision V- Guide to Issuing Green Bonds Investment Bankers are always looking for innovative ways to help organizations raise funding for their projects. Recently, there has been talks about sustainable finance. According to the European Commission, sustainable finance refers to the process of taking environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into account when making investment decisions in the financial sector, leading to more long-term investments in sustainable economic activities and projects. Sustainable finance products include green bonds, social bonds, green loans etc. In this explainer series, The IFC - International Finance Corporation takes a look at how to issue Green Bonds in the international market. #growth #finance #wealthmanagement #assetmanagement #investing #bonds #stocks #cash #commodities #marketreport #marketreview #financialmarket #nigeria #usa #globaleconomy #globalequities #stockmarket #chinaeconomy #macro #markets #investmentbank #finance #education #trading #investing #economy #southafrica #inflation #market #eurozone #hike #quality #macroeconomics #economicgrowth #investment #investments #infrastructure #bank #future #investmentbanking #strategy

We will be at the South Africa Sustainable Finance Intensive tomorrow, discussing key topics in #sustainable and #climatefinance. We look forward to valuable discussions and practical insights on #ESG for business! Jessica Blumenthal | Mansoor Parker | Stefanie Busch | Jordan Maze