International Finance Corporation
(IFC), a member of the World Bank Group has announced a new agreement with
Advans Ghana Savings and Loans Limited to
expand access to the Business Edge training program in Ghana.
The program will help
entrepreneurs gain the skills needed to succeed and supporting small business
growth in the country.
The agreements will allow 240 Small and Medium Enterprises
(SMEs) to access world-class management training, run more efficient businesses
and improve staff productivity.
In a statement issued and copied Daily
Express by IFC Ghana office said Business Edge is an important part of
IFCs strategy to support smaller businesses in Africa. The interactive product
has already helped more than 100,000 entrepreneurs in emerging markets improve
their skills and profitability.
Mary-Jean Moyo, IFC
Country Manager for Ghana, said, "IFC places high priority on encouraging
entrepreneurship in Ghana, which is supported by new partnerships and the
expansion of the Business Edge solution. More robust small and medium
enterprises are critical to creating jobs and generating growth for
Ghana."
It stated that support for Business Edge is
part of a broader effort by IFC to support the conditions for smaller
businesses. Through efforts to encourage efficient and effective regulation in
areas such as licensing, registration and taxation, IFC and its partners aim to
improve entry points and other building blocks for small business success.
To improve access to finance, IFC collaborates
with local financial intermediaries that enable SMEs to grow their businesses
with affordable and tailored credit and investment.
Inadequate access to finance constrains growth
of small and medium businesses in Ghana and hinders job creation. Only 22% of
all Ghanaian firms have access to a line of credit, a figure that falls to 13%
among smaller companies.
IFC, a member of the
World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused
exclusively on the private sector. IFC help developing countries achieve
sustainable growth by financing investment, mobilizing capital in international
financial markets, and providing advisory services to businesses and
governments.
In 2012 fiscal year, IFC
investments reached an all-time high of more than US$20 billion, leveraging the
power of the private sector to create jobs, spark innovation, and tackle the
world’s most pressing development challenges.
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