devinitorg/iati-policy-markers huggingface dataset:
Shombhabona This proposed project involves an equity investment in a medium sized financial sector company in Bangladesh. The Companys primary business is general insurance providing insurance services to both corporate and retail clients in most large districts of Bangladesh. IFC''s support to the Company will enable it to provide increased access to finance for the micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, who are mainly in the unorganized sector and do not have good access to insurance products. The Company is also expected to diversify its product base to have a healthy mix of corporate and retail business. Focus semi-urban areas and targeted products for retail clients: The Company''s growth strategy is focused on the retail sector and semi-urban areas. The Company is expected to increase its semi-urban presence by deepening its existing operations and having a wider network. It intends to reach a larger retail client base through products specifically designed to cater to their needs.
WCSS Pubali Bank p.cls-Normal {
    text-align:left;
    font-family:'Times New Roman', 'serif';
    font-size:12pt;
    line-height:108%;
    margin-top:0pt;
    margin-left:0pt;
    margin-right:0pt;
    margin-bottom:.001pt;
}
span.cls-DefaultParagraphFont {
    font-family:'Times New Roman', 'serif';
    font-size:12pt;
    font-weight:normal;
    margin:0in;
    padding:0in;
}
span.cls-000000 {
    font-size:12pt;
    font-weight:normal;
    margin:0in;
    padding:0in;
}
span.cls-DefaultParagraphFont-000001 {
    font-family:'Times New Roman', 'serif';
    font-size:1pt;
    font-weight:bold;
    margin:0in;
    padding:0in;
}
table { border-collapse:collapse !important; width:100%; table-layout:fixed; border-spacing:0 !important; margin-bottom:15px; } .k-table, .k-table td, table, table td, div table, div table td {outline: 0;border: 1px solid #000;} .k-table td, table td, div table td { padding: 5px;} 
  
  
     
       
         The proposed project comprises of an investment of up to USD 50 million Working Capital Solutions (WCS) and USD 30 million Global Trade Finance Facilities (GTFP) with Pubali Bank Limited (PBL or the Bank). The investment intends to (i) support the MSME growth strategy and (ii) expand the USD denominated trade business through the Banks Offshore Banking Unit. The financing provided is a fit with IFC country strategy of creating access to finance for SMEs and financial inclusion through investments in FIs. 
       
       
           
       
       
         Pubali Bank Limited is the largest conventional (non shariah) commercial bank in Bangladesh with an asset size of USD 4.2 Bn which represents ~5% of private commercial bank assets in Bangladesh and a deposit base of USD 3.2 Bn. It is a universal bank providing corporate, SME and retail banking services 
         . (i) Stakeholders: Pubali Bank's growth strategy compliments IFC's Bangladesh country strategy of creating access to finance for SMEs. The Bank's outreach provides access to the underserved SME sector and enables the Bank to upscale appropriate microenterprises to small enterprises and link them to related businesses through their network. IFC anticipates that this will promote social and business integration. 

(ii) Sustainability: IFC partnership will assist the Bank to upgrade E&S Management System, ensure screening of trade transactions against IFC Exclusion List, additional eligibility criteria, and Host Country Regulations.

(iii) Inclusiveness: As per the MSME Finance Gap report prepared jointly by the SME Finance Forum and IFC, the financing gap for MSMEs in 2017 is USD 38.9 Bn. IFC expects the partnership with the Bank to highlight the viability of extending banking services to MSMEs through demonstration and replication to other Tier II/III banks.
Robi Axiata II Robi Axiata Limited (Robi or the Company) is one of Bangladeshs leading mobile operators.  The Companys US$253 million capital expenditure program for 2015 to be used in upgrading Robis 3G network and increasing its coverage and capacity in Bangladesh by focusing in the Comilla-Dhaka-Chittagong (CDC) area and other selected regions, with particular focus on rural areas. 1. Increased access to broadband services. Given lack of appropriate fixed broadband infrastructure, mobile broadband has been the main source of access to internet in the country - 1.48 million subscribers (fixed) vs. 41.5 million (mobile) in 2014. With high countrywide coverage ratios, operators in Bangladesh have pushed access to internet over 2G connections via feature phones or low end smartphones. With increased availability of 3G services, subscribers will be able to experience enhanced services through high speed connections and lower latency.   2. Improved access to innovative services. With appropriate infrastructure deployed in the country, the Company will continue to diversify its revenue and strengthen its VAS offering.  Today Robi is already the market leader when it comes to services in entertainment and social media.    3. Provision of critical infrastructure. As wage rates increase in the country, improvements in working productivity through investments in critical infrastructure become an even more critical issue in Bangladesh.   4. Employment and employee development. Current Project will create additional direct and indirect high skilled employment in Bangladesh.   5. Catalytic role. IFC will play a catalytic role in local private sector development by attracting foreign investors into Bangladesh.   6. Government Revenues.  Telecom operators are one of the highest tax paying entities in the country - on average 55% of revenues are used to pay taxes and regulatory fees.
Meghna Rice The proposed investment is for up to US$35 million equivalent loans to Tanveer Foods Limited (TFL or the Company). The financing is proposed to include up to US$21 million senior-secured A loan from IFC (the A Loan) alongside up to US$14 million from a GAFSP-subordinated loan (in liquidation) (the GAFSP Loan and altogether, the IFC Loan). IFCs financing package will be used for setting up a greenfield automated rice mill with processing capacity of 1,000 Metric Tonnes Per Day (MTPD). The Project will also include the construction of an 80 MTPD rice bran oil plant and a husk-based co-generation plant, altogether the Project. The Project will improve food safety through the adoption of best technologies and practices in an otherwise largely unorganized rice sector in Bangladesh. The Project is assessed under the Global Food Security Platform. Stakeholders Consumers: The Project will contribute to increasing food security for consumers through increased production, processing, and distribution of hygienically packaged quality rice (staple food) in underserved areas of Bangladesh. The Project is expected to produce over 170,000 tons by 2027. Stakeholder- farmers: IFC expects that the Project's establishment of a rice milling facility in Bogura region will offer offtake opportunities for smallholder rice farmers, shortening storage periods through immediate purchases and improving the quality of paddy. IFC expects the Project to reach over 123,000 smallholders from a base of 2,600. Market impact -Resilience: The Project is expected to reduce rice supply volatility by preserving and re-directing production and keeping trade flow. IFC anticipates the Project, along with several other projects in the pipeline targeting various links along the global food supply value chain as well as corresponding responses from the World Bank, will enable the global food supply market to better withstand the price and supply shocks.
Bangladesh SME Liquidity Facility (BSLF) I Eastern Bank This Project will provide a systemic solution to address the US dollar liquidity requirement of the offshore banking unit (OBU) of Eastern Bank Ltd (EBL). Through IFCs support of this Project, the OBU of EBL will provide short-term trade financing and working capital financing solutions for trade clients, including SMEs and export-oriented enterprises, in Bangladesh. The key indicators for this Project will be the increase in number and value of short term transactions to finance trade customers, including SME working capital needs and number of SMEs financed.

By providing local banks with much-needed FX liquidity and facilitating their access to the commercial loan market, the Facility will increase the range of funding options available to them. 

The Facility will help accelerate economic growth in Bangladesh by providing trade customers, including SMEs & exporters, with the necessary FX liquidity to finance their working capital needs.  

IFCs loan will support job preservation in the small business sector that may otherwise have been forced to reduce staff in the face of financing constraints
Siranjganj Power Company International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering up to US$ 110 million of debt financing for the construction of a  greenfield 414 MW (net capacity) dual-fuel (gas and high speed diesel,  HSD) combined cycle power plant to be located in Sirajganj, Bangladesh (the Project). The Project will be developed by a consortium of Sembcorp Utilities Pte. Ltd. (Sembcorp Utilities or Sponsor) and North West Power Generation Company Ltd. (NWPGCL) under a special purpose vehicle which will be established in Bangladesh for the sole purpose of developing and operating the Project (Project Company).   The 414MW power plant will include one Gas Turbine (GT) unit; one set of heat recovery steam generator; one steam turbine generating unit with associated auxiliary equipment; fuel gas transportation, compression and conditioning system; HSD system; cooling water system; and water treatment facility.  A 230 kV substation connects the complex to the national transmission system and the 30 East-West gas pipeline crossing the Jamuna Bridge is located 1.6 km away from the site. .   Construction is targeted to start in the second quarter of 2016 and be completed in approximately 27 months, with combined cycle commercial operations targeted to commence by August 2018. A consortium of EPC contractors will be appointed to undertake the engineering, procurement and construction activities of the project.   The Operation and Maintenance of the project will be undertaken by the Project Company with the support of a long term service agreement for the GT with the manufacturer.   The Sirajganj site was developed as a major power generation complex in the north-west region of Bangladesh; NWPGCL is already operating a 225MW plant within the same complex and will shortly commence construction of another project there in early 2016. The Project will thus be the third power project to be located within the Sirajganj complex. -	Reducing Power Deficit: The project will help to address the chronic electricity shortages and to meet the growing demand for power in Bangladesh.  -	Low Tariff: The project is expected to contribute to reducing generation costs for the benefit of Bangladeshi consumers and users of power.  -	Private sector development: The project represents the first IPP project in Bangladesh by a foreign investors in several years, and is the first IPP in recent years to be financed on a limited recourse basis. The success of the project will demonstrate the sustainability of public and private sector partnerships in the power sector in Bangladesh to overseas power developers and operators, and help attract more capital flows into the country.  -	Employment generation: The Project is expected to generate employment opportunities (both direct and indirect) during construction and operational phases
Habiganj Agro Limited The group of companies known as PRAN Group (PRAN or the Group) was established in 1981. The Group is a leading branded food and beverage group and the largest agro-processer in Bangladesh. PRAN is a well-known household brand in Bangladesh and produces more than four hundred food products across multiple categories including juices and drinks, snacks, dairy, spices, grains, and frozen foods. PRAN exports to 145 countries around the world.      IFC will provide long-term US Dollar working capital financing to be utilized across the two group companies, Pran Dairy Limited (PDL) and Habiganj Agro Limited (HAL). 1.Project Outcome- Economic-wide Impacts- The project will increase value addition and job creation from the HAL and PDL operations under the Pran Group, enable the companies to increase exports through the provision of long-term US Dollar working capital. The two Companies' direct employment is expected to grow from 15,501 in 2023 to 22,501 in 2027. 2.Market Creation- ?Resilience- The project investment will provide a working capital loan to sustain operations for a client that is the market leader in Bangladesh in several food categories that it operates in and in a tough economic environment where the country is facing a shortage of US dollars. IFC expects this project may serve to have a demonstration effect, leading to the provision of more USD working capital loans by other international lenders to support similar companies to sustain their operations in the current environment
United Ashuganj Energy Ltd. The Project consists of the development, construction, operation and maintenance of a 195MW combined cycle reciprocating gas engine power plant in Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh under the Implementation Agreement (the IA) with the Government of Bangladesh (the GoB) and a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (the PPA) with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). It is a greenfield Project being developed by United Ashuganj Energy Ltd. (the Borrower or Company), a special purpose vehicle that was incorporated under the laws of Bangladesh. (1)Reduce power deficiency: The Project will be a significant contributor to address current gap in the country''s power supply and will help alleviate power crisis in Bangladesh. (2)Reduce power generation cost: The Project presents a less expensive alternative to emergency oil-based rental power plants and a strategic solution to Bangladesh''s long term power needs. (3)Employment generation: The Project will create jobs for locals during the construction and operation phases.
WCSS Bank Asia The project consists of providing a Short-Term Loan for the amount of up to US$30 million (for 12 months, renewable two times at IFCs option for an additional 24 months, for a maximum aggregate period of up to 36 months) and US$40 million Guarantee under GTFP to Bank Asia Limited (the Bank or Bank Asia) to support the foreign currency needs of SMEs in Bangladesh.    Bank Asia was incorporated in 1999 as a public limited company. The Bank has total assets of US$2.05 billion as of 30th September 2013. Bank Asia has a branch network of 86 branches spread across various cities with 90 owned ATMs. (i) Financial Market Deepening: Facilitating increased local bank access to the commercial loan market and also facilitating access to finance for credit constrained SMEs, especially to meet working capital requirements.   (ii) Demonstration Effect: IFC''s proposed package signals its confidence in Bangladesh economy and also helps increase the Bank''s credibility in international credit markets helping continued growth of its trade financing operations.  (iii) Job Creation: Bangladesh, an IDA country, still has nearly a third of its population below the poverty line in spite of improving macroeconomic fundamentals.  IFC''s investment will further support business growth and spur indirect job creation in the SME and Export oriented segments.  (iv) Boost Export Competitiveness: The Facility will help accelerate economic growth in Bangladesh by providing SMEs and exporters with trade finance solutions to their working capital requirements and assist in payments for imports utilized.
WCSS AB Bank BSLF III The Project consists of providing a 1 year Short-Term Loan in the amount of upto US$35 million (up to 12 months, renewable up to two times at IFCs option for an additional 12 months, for a maximum aggregate period of up to 3 years) to AB Bank Limited (Bank or ABBL) to support the foreign currency needs of SMEs in Bangladesh.  The financing provided to ABBL is a fit with the World Bank and IFC strategy of promoting economic growth by providing access to finance to underserved market segments and promoting international trade, thereby leading to improved competitiveness and job retention / creation. -	Financial Sector Deepening: The Project will enable ABBL to access foreign currency funding and compete on a level-playing field with foreign banks that have the benefit of parent funding. The IFC funding will also encourage other international banks / FIs to lend to local banks in Bangladesh.  -	Demonstration Effect: The demonstration effect of IFC financing will encourage foreign banks to fund the local banking sector and increase the range and availability of financing options in the market.
WCS Crisis Response Prime Bank II The proposed Project is an up to US$50 million Working Capital Solutions (WCS) facility to be extended to Prime Bank Limited (Prime Bank or the Bank) in Bangladesh, under the Fast Track COVID-19 Facility (FTCF) umbrella. This proposed Project is structured as a one-year facility, renewable for additional two years, for a maximum aggregate tenor of three years. This Project will support working capital, trade finance and foreign exchange liquidity needs of the sub-borrowers (export/import-based enterprises) through Prime Banks Off-Shore Banking Unit. A portion of the IFC loan proceeds is expected to be earmarked to support Prime Banks climate-eligible working capital and trade-related transactions as per IFCs eligibility criteria. The Project will contribute to increasing US$ funding for export/import-based enterprises and will also extend climate-eligible trade finance support. At the market level, IFC will contribute market resilience through providing liquidity support to leading banks and strengthen their ability to absorb shocks imposed by current stress situation as well as sending a positive signal to the market attracting additional international investors to support market liquidity in Bangladesh.
DCM DBH Housing The proposed investment comprises up to US$30 million equivalent investment in DBH Finance PLC. (DBH or the Company) through subscription in of Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) denominated senior bond to be issued by DBH. DBH, established in 1996, is a housing finance institution in Bangladesh that primarily provides loans for the purchase and construction of homes. The proceeds of the bond will be primarily used to grow the Companys affordable housing portfolio. IFC may also explore supporting the Company to mobilize up to US$25 million from other investors for its bond issuance.  The proposed project would contribute to affordable housing and long-term debt capital market development in Bangladesh. The Project is expected to be supported by the IDA20 Private Sector Window Local Currency Facility (IDA PSW LCF) as described in the Blended Finance Section. Increased access to affordable housing finance: The investment is expected to deliver increased access to housing finance for urban households by enabling DBHs focus on this segment. 

Contribution to market creation: Inclusiveness - The investment is anticipated to increase market inclusiveness in the housing market by demonstrating a viable lending product that caters to the financing needs of middle-income households and will foster replication.
BRAC Bank Project Summary Of Project Information (SPI)       Project Name    Bangladesh - BRAC Bank       RegionAsia and Pacific   Sector   Project No009801   Projected Board DateJanuary 27, 1999   Company NameBRAC Bank   Technical Partner and/or Major Shareholders    	The project is sponsored by BRAC, a well-established and prominent NGO (non governmental organization) with a large presence in the rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. The current activities of BRAC are particularly focused in three areas: education (1.2 million students), health care (14 million patients), and micro-finance. BRAC already has extensive experience in the micro-credit market with 2.4 million customers, and a substantial portfolio of approximately US$270 million of performing loan assets. BRAC''s experience dates back over 25 years during which it has achieved excellence in most of its targeted activities.    Project Cost Including proposed IFC investment    	BRAC Bank will be capitalized at around US$10 million, and BRAC is expecting to hold a 60% stake in the new bank, with a 20% stake held by IFC, leaving the remaining 20% for one or more potential Technical Partners, which are being sought with IFC''s assistance.    Location of project and Description of site    	Bangladesh.    Description of Company and Purpose of Project    	 The project involves the establishment of a commercial bank, BRAC Bank, in Bangladesh. The new bank will focus on niche credit markets: (i) small enterprises defined as those enterprises between the microentrepreneurs and more formal medium-sized businesses; (ii) NGOs and other companies, operating in the rural settings, whose financial needs are not met by the formal financial sector; and (iii) a large untapped domestic and international remittance market, which can be serviced efficiently and effectively by leveraging BRAC''s established network of over 800 offices across Bangladesh. BRAC Bank is expected to be a professionally managed bank with adequate capitalization, diverse shareholding, and best practice corporate governance.    Environmental Category and Issues    	This is an FI Type 1 project.  The bank will be required to undertake an environmental review of each subproject. IFC will assess the bank''s capability to carry out environmental reviews.        Date SPI sent to InfoShop     December 10, 1999      This Summary of Project Information is prepared and distributed to the public in advance of consideration of the proposed transaction by the Corporations Board of Directors.  It is provided for the purpose of enhancing the transparency of IFCs activities and should not be construed as presuming the outcome of IFC Board consideration.    For Additional Information contact:  Corporate Relations Unit -   telephone: (202) 473-7711   facsimile: (202) 974-4384  Environmental documents for this project are available at http://www.ifc.org and from the World Bank InfoShop (http://www.worldbank.org/html/pic/aboutinfo.html).