Latest news with #MominaAijazuddin
Zawya
15-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
National Finance signs strategic partnership with International Finance Corporation
Muscat: Reaffirming its resolute commitment to the country's sustainable development goals, National Finance, the Sultanate of Oman's leading finance company, has entered a landmark partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. This pivotal collaboration was formalized during a signing ceremony held on the World Bank Group Day in Muscat, Oman, marking the successful finalization of key agreements between the two institutions. This partnership underscores National Finance's growing role in driving the transition towards a greener economy, aligning with Oman Vision 2040. IFC's $120 million loan for sustainability projects will enable the company to expand its sustainable finance portfolio, with a focus on electric vehicle (EV) financing, green finance offerings, renewable energy projects. By embedding sustainability across its operations, National Finance continues to play a vital role in supporting the nation's broader environmental agenda, delivering impactful financial solutions that contribute to a low-carbon future. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tariq Sulaiman Al Farsi, Chief Executive Officer at National Finance said, 'This partnership with IFC is both a recognition and reinforcement of our sustainability journey. By joining forces with a world-renowned institution, we are accelerating the implementation of our green finance initiatives and creating long-term value for our stakeholders and the communities we serve. It is a significant step in our mission to foster sustainable economic progress in the Sultanate of Oman.' With this investment, IFC, as the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets, aims to share its capital, expertise, and influence to advance sustainable finance in Oman. Momina Aijazuddin, IFC's Regional Head of Industry, added, "Small and medium enterprises may be modest in size, but their impact is profound. They are every economy's growth engine. With this in mind, this $120 million investment represents a significant milestone for Oman—our first in the country's non-bank financial sector in nearly two decades. Beyond enhancing the resilience of the financial market, this transaction aims to advance sustainability by empowering businesses to spearhead climate-related projects from the ground up." The partnership also validates National Finance's sustainability framework, which is geared towards contributing to sustainable economic growth, strengthening communities, and reducing environmental impact. These goals are driven through four strategic pillars—Environment, Social, Operations, and Governance—underpinned by initiatives such as the Green Campus Programme, and the introduction of green auto finance for EVs as well as solar energy and paper recycling bins. Further reinforcing its ESG architecture, National Finance has also established a dedicated Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), which introduces a standardized procedure for ESG due diligence across all projects. The effective delivery of this strategy is supported by critical success factors, including robust policies, continuous capacity building, and proactive stakeholder engagement. Complementing these are efficient systems for ESG performance tracking and a strong focus on governance, accountability, and leadership to embed sustainability into every level of decision-making. Ensuring alignment across the organization is National Finance's cross-functional Sustainability Taskforce, which is overlooked by the Head of Sustainability and reports to the CEO. The Head, accountable for ESG matters, reports directly to the CEO, who, in turn, ensures Board-level oversight of all sustainability initiatives. This structure facilitates the seamless integration of ESG practices across departments. As the nation accelerates its pursuit of climate goals and economic diversification, National Finance's alliance with IFC embodies a forward-looking strategy—leveraging global expertise to deliver resilient financial solutions that meet evolving market needs and address critical environmental imperatives.
Arab News
13-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan's HBL Microfinance Bank, IFC sign $80 million risk sharing agreement
KARACHI: HBL Microfinance Bank (HBL MfB) has signed a Risk Sharing Agreement (RSA) with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group and the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. The facility, which is supported by the Private Sector Window of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), will allow HBL MfB to share 50 percent of the risk on its microfinance loan portfolio of up to $80 million with IFC on an unfunded basis. The collaboration aims to enhance access to finance for smallholder farmers and microenterprises across the country, with a strong focus on women entrepreneurs. 'This RSA is another milestone, reinforcing the Bank's legacy of innovation and leadership in addressing the evolving financial needs of underserved communities,' HBL said in a statement. 'By being the first microfinance bank to establish an agreement on such a scale, HBL MfB is not only pushing boundaries but also redefining industry standards, ensuring that microfinance remains a catalyst for empowerment and economic growth.' HBL said the RSA exemplified the bank's approach toward leveraging strategic partnerships to strengthen financial resilience, expand lending capabilities, and maintain sustainable growth. 'This partnership with IFC is a testament to our commitment to financial inclusion. The facility serves as a replicable model for strategic partnerships that mitigate market challenges while driving sustainable development,' Amir Khan, President and CEO HBL Microfinance Bank, said in a statement. 'By pioneering this Risk Sharing Facility in the microfinance sector, we are ensuring that underserved segments of the society — especially small business owners and farmers, particularly women, have access to the capital they need to thrive. We are thankful to IFC for their trust in us and look forward to the growth and progress it will bring for underserved Pakistanis.' Momina Aijazuddin, Regional Head of Financial Institutions Group at IFC, said boosting access to finance, especially for smallholder farmers, small businesses and women, could be a 'gamechanger' in Pakistan. 'With this in mind, IFC is excited to support this pioneering risk sharing facility which aims to de-risk HBL MfB's on-lending activity to its microfinance clients and support critical growth opportunities in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and women's empowerment,' Aijazuddin said. 'This agreement will accelerate financial inclusion, and further HBL Microfinance Bank's mission of creating a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem in Pakistan.' Despite challenging macroeconomic conditions, microfinance banks (MFBs) have continued to expand their outreach to the low-income population of Pakistan. Although MFBs account for only 1.3 percent of total financial sector assets, they have a broad customer base. Over the past five years, MFBs' total assets grew by an average of 19.1 percent annually, according to government data.
