Assistance to Increase SME Finance

Improving access to finance is essential for SME development. The lack of capital and specifically credit has often been identified as the weakest link preventing the growth of SMEs in Georgia. Recognizing this, the Project fosters a continuous dialogue within the National Bank of Georgia, private sector commercial banks and non-bank financial institutions to address market imperfections and meet demand for the long-term financing for SMEs. With this two-pronged approach, the Project plans to increase the number of loans and the amount lent to the SMEs in Georgia.

In pursuing these objectives, SME Support Project focuses on:

• Increasing access to finance for SMEs through USAID’s Development Credit Authority (DCA) and developing other solutions for lenders;
• Setting up the Georgian Bank Training Center;
• Assistance to NBG in developing a Reserve Requirements Strategy that may lead to additional funds available for the SME sector;
• Assistance to NBG in upgrading Reporting Standards of Financial Institutions;
• Strengthening MFIs to provide important and needed services
to small businesses;
• Providing technical support and training to financial institutions to increase their capacity and
willingness to provide credits to SMEs;
• Providing specific hands-on training to potential SME Borrowers.

Georgian IT Innovation Conference 2009 Opens in Tbilisi

U.S. Ambassador to Georgia John R. Bass and Prime Minister of Georgia Nika Gilauri opened the 2009 Georgia Information Technology (IT) Innovation Conference on October 29, 2009..

- 17.11.2009  |  Read more...

SME Support Project to Ease Transition and Reintegration of IDPs

On October 28, 2009 the USAID’s SME Support Project in partnership with the Ministry for Refugees and Resettlement and Mtskheta-Mtianeti authorities hosted the presentation of the projects implemented in the IDP settlement of Tserovani..

- 17.11.2009  |  Read more...

Import Substitution on the Way to Encouraging Domestic Production

On November 3, 2009, USAID’s SME Support Project and Policy and Management Consulting Group in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development ahosted the Made in Georgia Workshop, a one day import substitution promotional event

- 17.11.2009  |  Read more...