Sector: Support to SMEs

LACIF promotes projects that empower the entrepreneurial and private sector to contribute to economic development and poverty reduction, as well as to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 1 (End poverty in all its forms everywhere), 8 (Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all), 9 (Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation), and 12 (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns), among others.

Relevant sub-sectors financed include:

Business development services:

Public and private provision of business development services, e.g. incubators, business strategies, commercial linkage programs and matchmaking services. Includes support to private organizations representing businesses, e.g. business associations, chambers of commerce, producer associations, providers of know-how and other business development services.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) development:

Direct support in terms of grants, loans or equity to improve the productive capacity and business management of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the industrial sector, including accounting, auditing, advisory services, technological transfer and skill upgrading.

Business Policy and Administration:

Public sector policies and institutional support to the business environment and investment climate, including business regulations, property rights, non-discrimination, investment promotion, competition policy, enterprise law, private-public partnerships.