ADB funds over 20 mln USD for women-led SMEs

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has reported that it received 20.2 million USD from the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) in support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) led by women.
ADB funds over 20 mln USD for women-led SMEs ảnh 1Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) hasreported that it received 20.2 million USD from the Women Entrepreneurs FinanceInitiative (We-Fi) in support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) ledby women.

Accordingly, nearly 5,000 SMEs will be given access to criticalfinancing and training courses in both Vietnam and the Pacific during fiveyears.

It is the second time the ADB has received the secondnon-refundable aid from We-Fi to support the Women Accelerating Vibrant Enterprises in Southeast Asia andthe Pacific (WAVES) programme.

Women-ledbusinesses comprise roughly 60 percent of all micro, small, and medium-sizedenterprises in Asia and the Pacific. However, they face capital constraints,which hamper their growth and development.

In April 2018,  the ADB received a 12.6 million USD grant fromWe-Fi - which is managed by the World Bank - to promote women entrepreneurshipin Sri Lanka.

The lender hasbeen investing in women’s entrepreneurship in the Asia and Pacific region aspart of its commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment, which is oneof the priorities of its newly adopted Strategy 2030.

By 2030, it isexpected that 75 percent of all ADB-funded projects will promote genderequality.-VNA
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