The Ministry of Economy and Finance has launched an international public tender aimed at recruiting a fund manager, a credit and operational risk manager and a compliance manager for the recently announced Credit Guarantee Fund, Carta has learned from a source close to the executive.
The World Bank last week announced the approval by its board of directors of a US$300 million package for Mozambique to finance a Credit Guarantee Fund to help mobilise liquidity in the banking system and provide financing for SMEs, especially those owned by women and operating in regions or sectors vulnerable to climatic shocks.
Also read: Mozambique Cahora Bassa production Increased 5.9% in 2022
There are already strong expectations in the private sector, and Carta on Sunday heard, from a source at the Ministry of Economy and Finance presently in Washington, that two of the largest banks in the country are already being screened by the World Bank to qualify for inclusion in the scheme.
The interest rates that will be applied by the fund are not yet known, but they will be below those normally levied by commercial banks.
Access to credit in Mozambique is a constraint for micro, small and medium-sized companies, limiting their growth and expansion, a challenge to which this measure seeks to respond.
The fund will allow commercial banks to provide financial resources for investment at “more accessible” interest rates for micro, small and medium-sized companies operating in the agriculture, fish farming, marketing and agricultural processing, tourism and housing sectors.
Also read: Mozambique President calls for digital inclusion to empower women
In August, 2022, the President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, launched an Economic Acceleration Package (PAE) of 20 measures to stimulate the economy, among which is a line of financing for SMEs.
