Capturing asset-based financing opportunities for small and medium businesses in the Republic of Tajikistan

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, with the assistance of the National Bank of Tajikistan and the Association of Microfinance Organizations of Tajikistan, continues initiatives related to the adopted secured transactions reform, specifically, the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On Pledge of Movable Property and registration of secured obligations” and the launch of the “Unified State Collateral Registry.”Aconference and two-day training were organized on “Capturing asset-based financing opportunities in the Republic of Tajikistan. "

The IFC project is aimed at improving the financial infrastructure in Azerbaijan and Central Asia and has been implemented in Tajikistan since 2009 with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland representedby the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Cooperation (SECO).

Atthe conference, which convenedrepresentatives of government agencies, financial institutions, and international organizations, IFC’s global and local consultants presented new market perspectives that are emerging through the new legislation. Experts spoke about the broadpossibilities of financing based onmovable property, more specifically, about the advantages of movable asset-based financing.

The event was aimed at presenting objective possibilities to develop structured solutions, such as structured trade finance and supply chain finance, and to jointly discuss effective solutions to implement such productsin Tajikistan.

At the end of the conference the National Bank of Tajikistan will organize a two-day practical training for specialists of financial institutions and leasing companies. The trainings will enable specialists to understand the principles of movable asset-based lending, in particular, such products as financing againstcontracts, warehouse and inventory financing, warehouse receipt financing in agriculture, invoice discounting, purchase order financing, reverse factoring and distributor financing. Participants will learn about legal aspectsof structuring such products and will study best practice case studies where they are in high demand and successfully applied.

According to Zarina Odinaeva, IFC’s Financial Infrastructure Development Project Manager in Azerbaijan and Central Asia, “Access to finance for individuals and businesses is severely restricted in most developing countries. The absent or weak credit infrastructure poses significant risks and limits the ability of financial institutions to expand their financial products and services, significantly limiting access to finance for individuals and MSMEs. With the adoption of the newlegislation and the launch of the collateral registry, Tajikistan has now established the infrastructure that provides effective and efficient access to finance, stability and socially responsible economic growth."

"Movable asset-based lending has been practiced in the country for a long time. But financial institutions have traditionally worked with a very limited list of such property. Lack of professional and independent asset valuation, shortage of expertise, high operational and litigation costs, and incomplete collateral registry data have hampered the introduction of more flexible collateral requirements adapted to client's capabilities. Today the reforms and provided technical support create opportunities for financialinstitutions to focus on developing new products, including receivables financing, warehouse receipts, future crop financing or other intangible assets, and at the same time better manage their risks, "-noted Malika Ibrohimova, National coordinator of Economic programs of SECO.

About SECO
SECO is Switzerland’s competence center for all core issues relating to economic policy. SECO’s economic development cooperation strives to achieve inclusive sustainable growth and poverty reduction. Its activities aim to create more and better jobs, to enhance trade and competitiveness, to support effective institutions and services and to foster climate resilient economies. For more information, visit www.seco-cooperation.ch

About IFC
IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in the toughest areas of the world. In fiscal year 2018, we delivered more than $23 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.