devinitorg/iati-policy-markers huggingface dataset:
Branch Project Branch (the Company) is a mobile lender providing personal unsecured microloans in Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria. Branch uses technology to dramatically reduce the cost of delivering financial services in emerging markets. IFC is considering an equity investment in Branch, which will be used to finance the Companys continued growth. (i) IFC's proposed investment in Branch aims to enhance financial access by developing and deploying innovative, scalable, and sustainable lending solutions that reach underserved customers in developing countries. Stringent eligibility requirements, hidden fees and complex products/ procedures have kept many consumers from seeking or qualifying for bank financing. Branch promotes lower cost financial services and innovative delivery channels. 

(ii) Branch's growth will contribute to the competitiveness of the lending market in its countries of operation, by providing a further push towards the delivery of low-cost, easy-to-access, and increasingly longer-term loans for consumers and entrepreneurs.
GTLP Rabo Project The project is for IFC and funding partners (other development finance institutions, DFIs) to assume a funded trade finance risk participation for up to USD500 million in the trade finance portfolio of Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen Boerenleenbank B.A. (trading as Rabobank International), a bank incorporated in The Netherlands, with the statutory seat in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and located at Croeselaan 28, 3521 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands, structured under IFC GTLPs initiative. 

GTLP is part of IFCs multi-faceted global financial crisis response.  It is a funded trade finance program of up to USD8 billion that will be mobilized and disbursed in phases to provide IFC with a flexible platform from which to support the extension of funded trade financing to under-served clients globally.  The proposed total IFC investment would be up to USD2 billion, which will be leveraged with resources from other DFIs as well as several international banks with an established footprint in emerging markets trade finance. The project is expected to have a significant development impact by increasing funding for trade of consumer goods, intermediate goods, smaller machinery, and commodities demanded by emerging markets enterprises.
Global Trade Liquidity Program The project is to establish the Global Trade Liquidity Pool Program or GTLP as part of IFCs multi-faceted global financial crisis response.  The GTLP is a funded trade finance program of up to $8 billion that will be mobilized and disbursed in phases to provide IFC with a flexible platform from which to support the extension of funded trade financing to under-served clients globally.  The proposed total IFC investment would be up to $2 billion, which will be match funded with resources from other DFIs and IFIs, and several international banks with an established footprint in emerging markets trade finance.   The objective is for the Corporation to quickly mobilize and channel liquidity as part of its multi-faceted crisis response package to specifically help address the liquidity constraint on global trade finance. The GTLP will be designed to provide funding on a global basis for diversification, and will be operational to be co-terminous with the financial crisis. Development Impact:     The GTLP is an extension of IFCs commitment to support trade flows, particularly during the current credit crunch environment having far reaching impact on businesses in emerging markets. And the GTLP is aimed at helping to address this current liquidity constraint faced by clients, both smaller financial institutions and real sector businesses.  IFC and the GTLP partners will fund underlying trades with an average size of $2 million and tenor of 180 days, thus achieving significant leverage to allow a $8 billion proposed program to fund approximately $48 billion of global trade over a three year period. IFC anticipates supporting the trade of consumer goods and intermediate goods and smaller machinery and commodities that are demanded by emerging market enterprises.
GTSFWolverine This project is proposed under IFCs Global Trade Supplier Finance program (GTSF or the Program) approved by the IFC Board on September 21, 2010 (Project #28723). Under GTSF, IFC provides short-term financing to emerging market suppliers (Suppliers) selling to large domestic buyers or exporting to international buyers, by discounting invoices once they are approved by the Buyer. Under this transaction, IFC will provide financing to Suppliers of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (Wolverine or the Company) that are based in Vietnam, Cambodia, India and other emerging market countries.
GTFP IV Project In response to the current financial crisis, an additional $1.5 billion for the Global Trade Finance Program ceiling supplementing the existing $1.5 billion initially approved by the Board in November 2004 (Investment No 23898, $500 million) and subsequently in January 2007 (Investment No. 25667, $500 million) and October 2008 (Investment No 27372, $500 million) allowing IFC to support trade finance up to a total amount of $3.0 billion on a revolving basis. This additional $1.5 billion will be subject to the same terms approved for Investments No. 23898, 25667 and 27372. The GTFP addresses the on-going demand from clients to receive multilateral support for trade. The inherent flexibility of the program to meet client demands globally and quickly enhances its impact.  By guaranteeing trade transactions as small as $7,000 IFC lends critical support for the trade of consumer goods, intermediate goods, and smaller machinery, and commodities that are needed by the SME sector. Since the inception of the Program in September 2005, $3.2 billion in trade guarantees have been issued to support 2,600 transactions of which 48% were for banks in Africa, 70% were SME transactions, 50% supported trade with IDA countries, and 35% facilitated south-south trade.
GWFP Phoenix/BNP The project consists of an investment by IFC of up to US$20 million in a revolving uncommitted trade finance facility of US$80 million (the Facility), arranged by BNP Paribas (Suisse) S.A. (BNPP Suisse) for Phoenix Global DMCC (Phoenix DMCC), a subsidiary of Phoenix Commodities Pvt. Ltd (Phoenix). The Facility will support Phoenixs fast-growing agri commodity supply chain business in Africa and other regions. The most significant expected development impacts include: (i) increased access for Phoenix to trade finance to support the growth of sourcing, trading and distribution of rice, pulses, grains and sugar into Asia & Sub-Saharan Africa, hence promoting food security in several IDA countries; (ii) increased farmers reach by providing a sizable and stable source of financing for Phoenix's purchase of agri commodities mainly from small and medium-sized farmers, and (iii) indirect support to the business of companies involved in import/export, transportation, storage, distribution of agri commodities, which is expected to sustain employment along the value chain.
Global Climate The proposed project envisages an IFC investment of up to US$75 million in the Global Climate Partnership Fund (the Fund) which has been set up as a Specialized Investment Fund (SICAV-SIF) under Luxemburg law in December 2009. 

Promoted by KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW), the Fund is a proposed up to US$500 million collective debt investment vehicle that will provide financing mainly for on-lending to small and medium-sized enterprises and households in sustainable energy projects through financial institutions (FIs) and, to a lesser extent, will make direct investments in  renewable energy/energy efficiency projects globally. The Fund is expected to have a significant development impact in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy products to households and SMEs. This in turn will support climate change mitigation and its associated benefits such as increased energy efficiency, and reduction in pollution levels. The Fund is also expected to demonstrate that energy efficient projects can be bankable, thereby leading to increased investment in this area by the private sector. Coupled with this demonstration effect will be the transfer of knowledge that will be achieved in some markets by the Technical Assistance Facility with respect to appraising climate change products and ensuring they are bankable.
Titan Egypt This SII was disclosed in November 10, 2009 under Titan Egypt, Project #27022, which was approved by IFC Board in December 2009.  In October 2010, prior to IFC disbursement, an internal product change was done via the system, and as a result of this internal system split, a new project identification and number (Alexandria Development Limited, ADL, Project #30274) were generated. Based on operational procedures, there was no need for a new disclosure at that time, given that the  change of to the project identification and number were only due to  an internal product change, and the original entities involved, the requirements and the project scope remained unchanged.   Titan Group, an existing IFC client and Greeces leading private cement company, is seeking to expand its cooperation with IFC in its Egyptian operations which consist of two entities: Beni Suef Cement Company (BSCC) and Alexandria Portland Cement Company (APCC), (together, the Company). BSCC and APCC have a combined production capacity of 3.5 million tons per annum (mtpa) and are engaged in an investment program to add a second integrated cement production line of 1.5 mtpa in BSCC, and various debottlenecking investments in both plants (the Project). Key development impacts of the Project in the local economy include the following:  support to the construction and infrastructure sectors: the Project will provide new capacity to a growing market characterized by a pressing need in low income housing as well as numerous construction projects, eg new communities (New Cairo, Emaar projects), colleges (AUC etc), financial and other campuses (Smart city for telecom etc);  benefit to consumers: consumers are expected to benefit from increased local availability of cement;  employment retention and generation: the Project will help retain current employment as well as generate new employment in the local community, both temporarily during the construction phase as well as permanently during operations; and  environment and social standards: the Project and the Company are expected to achieve higher environmental and social performance, therefore minimizing impact on the local communities.
MicrVest II, LP In partnership with JP Morgan, IFC proposes to invest in MicroVest II, LP (MV II or the Fund) a $70 million equity fund for microfinance. MV II is a dedicated equity fund building off the track record of Microvest I, LP a microfinance debt fund launched in 2004 with a portfolio of 25 MFIs operating in 14 countries and two regional facilities totaling $36 million.   MV II is a seven (7) year fund which will provide needed equity capital for a growing class of 20-30 Tier I MFIs operating globally, 2/3 of which are expected to be in IDA countries. MV II projects to reach up to 16 million borrowers over the life the project.   IFCs proposed investment consists of a $10 million investment (representing 14% of the total size) in MV II. The project will be executed in close collaboration with the Private Equity & Investment Funds Department. The project will be structured and arranged by JP Morgans Social Sector Finance Group and managed by MicroVest Capital Management, LLC a leading fund manager in microfinance. Significant Direct Contribution to Poverty Reduction:   The project will extend finance to previously underserved groups: micro and small businesses who lack adequate sources of funding. IFCs new investment will increase the availability of financial services to this large underserved group. This project will provide access to finance to an estimated 16.1 million borrowers over the seven year life of the project. Supporting productive small businesses will in turn stimulate growth, employment generation and poverty reduction.  Scaling Up Microfinance:   By supporting MV II, this project will help scale up 20-30 microfinance institutions operating globally (2/3 of which are expected to be in IDA countries) by providing them with commercial funding (particularly needed equity) in order to expand operations. This model should attract other private and commercial investors to do the same, thereby promoting investments in the microfinance sector.   Demonstration Effect:   The integration of local private investors (private banks and pension funds) into microfinance will show the way for other sophisticated institutional investors to enter the sector and deepen local financial markets. MV II will leverage US$60 million in private capital for microfinance.  Facilitate the Access of MFIs to Commercial Funding:    The current demand of credit by underserved micro enterprises in emerging markets far exceeds the funding provided by donors and commercial lenders.  In order to satisfy the demand and unleash the productive capacity of these micro enterprises, MFIs need to tap into commercial funding sources to support their expansion.
Middle East Capital Group Summary Of Project Information (SPI)       Project Name    MIDDLE EAST - Middle East Capital Group                 Region    Middle East      Sector   Project No007220   Projected Board DateNovember 14, 1995   Company NameMiddle East Capital Group Limited   Technical Partner and/or Major Shareholders    	The main sponsors of the project are BZW, the investment banking arm of the Barclays Plc Group (U.K.), the Bin Mahfouz Group of National Commercial Bank of Saudi Arabia, and the projected Management Team.      Project Cost Including proposed IFC investment    	US$30 million of which IFCs equity investment is US$3 million for an equity interest of 10%.      Location of project and Description of site    	Middle East    Description of Company and Purpose of Project    	The project involves the establishment of the first regional merchant bank in the Middle East.  IFC has been requested to make an equity investment of US$3 million for a 10% equity interest in the share capital of Middle East Capital Group (MECG).  MECG would carry out a broad range of merchant banking activities and would focus initially on Lebanon, Jordan, the West Bank, and Gaza.  MECG would play a critical developmental role in addressing the financial needs of the private sector in the Middle East and in developing its capital markets.        Environmental Category and Issues    	This is a category FI project according to IFC''s environmental classification.  MECG will be required to implement an environmental risk management system to ensure that projects financed under relevant operations comply with local environmental regulations and applicable World Bank Group guidelines and are consistent with World Bank Group policy.         Date SPI sent to PIC     October 27, 1995      For Additional Information contact:  Corporate Relations Unit -   telephone: (202) 473-7711   facsimile: (202) 676-0365
GTLP-SMBC Project The proposed project falls under the Global Trade Liquidity Program (GTLP), an innovative and well received trade finance program launched by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2009.  GTLP provides liquidity or guarantees to global or regional banks with large financial institution networks.  Through GTLP, banks are able to grow their credit limits, manage risk, and support trade in the emerging markets.   The proposed project involves establishing a funded risk sharing facility (the Facility) with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC or the Bank) for up to US$1.0 billion to share the risk on a portfolio of emerging market issuing banks. The Facility is expected to have the following development impacts: - Increased access to finance: The project will increase access to finance for the Emerging Market importers and exporters.  Improved availability of credit is expected to benefit producers and importers, including SMEs) along the value chain and therefore support growth, sustain employment, and encourage the generation of higher incomes. - Strong demonstration effect through partnership with a major international bank and by mobilizing other program participants to support trade finance, the Project will have a strong demonstration effect by encouraging greater local/regional bank participation in EM trade finance which will increase access to finance for importers and exporters.
Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund LLC Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund LLC (the Fund or the company) has been newly formed to seek long-term capital appreciation through investing primarily in emerging markets listed companies with market capitalization of less than $500 million.  The Fund will have a global focus.
Cleaner Production Lending Pilot The proposed Cleaner Production Lending Pilot (CPLP) will provide loans with an aggregate amount of up to $20 million over the next three years to promote Cleaner Production (CP) investments among IFCs portfolio clients globally.  These investments would take the form of small loans made on commercial terms to existing clients for the purpose of financing CP investments (CP Loans).      CP is the continuous improvement of industrial processes, services and products to enhance the conversion efficiency of manufacturing inputs (such as energy, water, raw materials) to saleable outputs.  This process reduces resource consumption and hence reduces waste streams and environmental impact at source.  Well-designed CP interventions are highly profitable.  CP initiatives can reduce or eliminate the need for costly end-of-pipe environmental protection projects, and in contrast to end-of-pipe interventions, CP reduces rather than increases manufacturing cost by reducing input costs and the costs of pollution mitigation.      Despite these obvious attractions, many CP improvement opportunities are not implemented by industry.  Previous work by IFC and others suggests that impediments to CP implementation include a combination of lack of awareness of financial benefits available from CP, lack of technical ability to identify CP opportunities and develop these into bankable projects and perception of risk and lack of access to finance.  IFCs Environmental and Social Department is already discussing the provision of donor support for CP with the following donors:   - Austria, - Bavaria, - Denmark, - Italy,  - Japan, and -  Norway.  By teaming up donor assistance with access to IFC finance, it is hoped that upfront barriers to CP will be overcome and adoption of CP will be accelerated. The CPLP will focus on financially viable projects which improve the conversion efficiency of raw material and energy inputs.  The sub-projects under the CPLP are expected to be economically attractive as resource savings outweigh the capital and operating costs of implementation.  Environmental performance is also expected to improve in most of the sub-projects.   At the enterprise level, CP projects may help maintain access to export markets, enhance reputation through green branding, and better manage scarce local resources to allow future expansion of activities.  Successful projects and companies are hoped to create a demonstration effect.  The individual project level results will be tracked in terms of cleaner production objectives as defined in each of the sub-loans.
Primary Group The project involves an equity investment of up to US$ 35 million in a newly-formed subholding legal entity under Primary Group Limited (the SubHoldCo), a privately-owned investment holding company with significant expertise in the global insurtech sector. The SubHoldCo will hold two subsidiaries of international private medical insurance and five subsidiaries of digital personal lines. Primary Group has a strong track record of 20+ years in investing, growing and exiting early stage, disruptive insurance businesses operating in direct-to-consumer online, retail and wholesale broking, specialist managing general agent, and healthcare insurance. The project will fund the subsidiaries to expand into emerging markets, improve performance and liquidity and further digitalize healthcare insurance. The project is expected to increase:
1)	Accessibility and quality of insurance, namely personal lines (primary auto and home) and international private medical insurance, in growth markets. 
2)	Competitiveness, as  Primary Digital is bringing innovation to product development and distribution that other players in the market are expected to replicate due to competitive pressures. In addition, Primary Health is serving a "niche" segment of the market place that is underserved by national health systems and traditional private insurance.   
3)	Support to SMEs, as Primary Health's direct distribution as well as new products are expected to provide coverage to SMEs, supporting in their effort to attract and retain talent.
4)	Transparency and quality of service by helping end users compare rates and terms across difference insurance providers instantly and seamlessly and therefore make more informed purchase decisions.
AccessHolding The proposed project involves the creation of Access Microfinance Holding AG (AccessHolding), a commercial microfinance holding company that will make equity investments in microfinance institutions (MFIs) worldwide.  AccessHolding will be established by LFS Financial Systems (LFS or the sponsor) with the participation of IFC and a group of other public and private investors. AccessHolding will be founded with an initial capital endowment of EUR18 million.  AccessHolding will focus on setting up new MFIs together with other like-minded investors, but will also invest in early-stage MFIs or non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) with the aim of transforming them into full-service microfinance banks. Over time, AccessHolding aims to transform into a controlling parent company of a global network of microfinance banks with a common brand identity.  Investee MFIs will receive management, consulting and training services from LFS, as well as centralized holding services in areas such as internal audit, marketing, human resources, product development and rollout, risk management, and information management. The proposed project is expected to have a high developmental impact in the following areas:   - financial sector development;  - improved financial infrastructure;   - MFI capacity building; and  - significant contribution to poverty reduction.