Podcasts about international finance corporation ifc

*Key news articles for today*Net International Reserves inched up to USD48.14 billion at the end of April, up from USD47.76 billion in March. The ascent is driven by a USD1 billion increase in the value of gold component of reserves, driving the reserves up, despite the lower value of foreign currencies which recorded USD34.32 billion down from USD35.14 billion in March.Trump said the US would stop attacking the Houthis in Yemen, as Oman confirmed a "ceasefire" had been reached with the Iran-backed group for it to stop targeting shipping in the Red Sea.The Finance Ministry is looking to collect some EGP722 mn from the incoming stamp tax on EGX transactions in the upcoming fiscal year, as part of a broader plan to collect some EGP 61 bn from stamp duties through various channels, a government source said. The draft law for the implementation of the stamp tax on EGX transactions is currently in its final stages of preparation ahead of being submitted to the House of Representatives for final approval, upon which it would replace the long-delayed capital gains tax on bourse transactions.The Tourism Ministry is looking to secure some EGP200 mn to launch the second iteration of the subsidized loan program for hospitality players, Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy said.The International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to invest USD1 bn in Egypt's agriculture and food industries during 2025, an IFC official said.The IFC is seeking to secure USD600 million in financing for the Abydos 2 project, which will be the largest photovoltaic solar power plant in Egypt, equipped with a battery energy storage system, and cost exceeding USD750 million.Egypt will host a delegation from the European Commission late in May to finalize negotiations to unlock a tranche of the EUR4 bn grant from the EU. Egypt is studying a plan to ramp up imports from Morocco to USD600 mn over the coming period to address the trade imbalance between the two countries.Chevron will invest at least USD120 mn in a new exploration concession to explore for oil and gas in the West Star concession in the northeast Mediterranean.OLFI released 1Q25 financial results, reporting net profit of EGP184 million (+17.2% YoY, -34.8% QoQ). OLFI is currently trading at FY25f P/E of 6.3x.POUL has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with French firm Avril to manufacture and distribute the “Sanders” and “Golden Horse” brands in Egypt and the Gulf region. The partnership involves investments totaling EGP200 million, with projected annual sales volume reaching 9,000 tons.Scatec has kicked off construction of its USD590 million, 1.1 GW Obelisk solar project with 200 MWh of battery energy storage in Nagaa Hammadi. The project will be fully operational in the second half of 2026. The project could cover up to 40% of EGAL's electricity needs and save more than 15% of the company's electricity cost. 

Hôm 17/03/2025, báo chí chính thức ở Việt Nam đã đồng loạt đăng một bài viết của tổng bí thư đảng Cộng sản Tô Lâm. Việc truyền thông nhà nước phổ biến quan điểm của lãnh đạo đảng là chuyện bình thường ở Việt Nam, nhưng bài viết này đáng chú ý vì ông Tô Lâm đã không hết lời ca ngợi khu vực kinh tế tư nhân tại một đất nước mà về mặt chính thức kinh tế nhà nước vẫn nắm vai trò chủ đạo “trong một nền kinh tế thị trường định hướng xã hội chủ nghĩa”. Ngay từ năm 1986, khi bắt đầu “đổi mới”, Đảng Cộng sản Việt Nam đã công nhận “kinh tế tư bản tư nhân là một thành phần kinh tế”. Đến năm 2001, đảng cầm quyền ở Việt Nam tiếp tục phát triển kinh tế tư nhân “trong những ngành nghề mà pháp luật không cấm.” Nhưng thực ra thì đến năm 2011, tại Đại hội Đảng lần thứ 11, cụm từ "kinh tế tư nhân" mới lần đầu tiên được sử dụng chính thức, với chủ trương "hoàn thiện cơ chế, chính sách để kinh tế tư nhân trở thành một trong những lĩnh vực quan trọng của nền kinh tế". Năm 2017, Đảng ra nghị quyết nhấn mạnh cần "phát triển kinh tế tư nhân trở thành một động lực quan trọng của nền kinh tế thị trường định hướng xã hội chủ nghĩa". Nghị quyết này lần đầu tiên đưa ra các chỉ tiêu cụ thể về phát triển kinh tế tư nhân, như đến năm 2025 sẽ có 1,5 triệu doanh nghiệp, đóng góp khoảng 55% GDP. Tuy nhiên, những mục tiêu này đến nay vẫn chưa đạt được.Trong bài viết mang tựa đề "Phát triển kinh tế tư nhân: Đòn bẩy cho một Việt Nam thịnh vượng", tổng bí thư Tô Lâm ghi nhận: “Với gần 1 triệu doanh nghiệp, khoảng 5 triệu hộ kinh doanh cá thể, khu vực kinh tế tư nhân hiện đóng góp khoảng 51% GDP.” Nói chung, theo ông Tô Lâm, khu vực tư nhân “ngày càng thể hiện là động lực quan trọng nhất để thúc đẩy tăng trưởng kinh tế quốc gia.”Quan điểm của ông Tô Lâm là: “Một nền kinh tế cường thịnh không thể chỉ dựa vào khu vực nhà nước hay FDI, mà phải dựa vào nội lực là khu vực tư nhân vững mạnh, đóng vai trò tiên phong trong đổi mới và phát triển đất nước.”Nhưng ông Tô Lâm nhìn nhận rằng kinh tế tư nhân ở Việt Nam “vẫn đối mặt với nhiều rào cản kìm hãm sự phát triển và năng lực cạnh tranh.” Cụ thể, theo lãnh đạo đảng Cộng Sản Việt Nam doanh nghiệp tư nhân “còn gặp nhiều rào cản trong tiếp cận nguồn lực, đặc biệt là vốn tín dụng, đất đai, tài nguyên và nhân lực chất lượng cao, nhất là trong các ngành công nghệ, kỹ thuật và tài chính. Trong khi đó, một số doanh nghiệp nhà nước nắm giữ nhiều tài nguyên, đất đai, nguồn vốn, nguồn nhân lực chất lượng nhưng lại chưa khai thác hiệu quả, thậm chí còn để lãng phí.”Ấy là chưa kể “hệ thống pháp luật còn nhiều bất cập, chồng chéo, môi trường kinh doanh nhiều trở ngại, thủ tục hành chính phức tạp, tốn nhiều thời gian, chi phí và tiềm ẩn rủi ro. Nhiều trường hợp quyền tự do kinh doanh và quyền tài sản vẫn bị xâm hại bởi sự yếu kém hoặc lạm quyền của một số cán bộ, công chức trong thực thi công vụ.”Trong bản đánh giá về hiện trạng của khu vực kinh tế tư nhân của Việt Nam, đăng vào tháng 09/2021, Tổ chức Tài chính Quốc tế (International Finance Corporation - IFC), thành viên của Nhóm Ngân hàng Thế giới, cũng đã từng nêu bật sự bất bình đẳng giữa doanh nghiệp nhà nước và doanh nghiệp tư nhân ở Việt Nam :“Quy mô và ảnh hưởng lớn của doanh nghiệp nhà nước có thể cản trở cạnh tranh của doanh nghiệp nhỏ và mới hoạt động. Doanh nghiệp tư nhân khó tham gia và cạnh tranh đầy đủ ở nhiều thị trường do các ưu đãi dành cho doanh nghiệp nhà nước. Các ngân hàng thương mại tiếp tục cho những doanh nghiệp nhà nước có kết quả hoạt động yếu kém được vay tiền trên cơ sở phi thương mại, do đó làm tăng chi phí vay trong nước của các công ty làm ăn có lợi nhuận tốt. Các doanh nghiệp nhà nước gặp khó khăn về tài chính có thể nhận được hỗ trợ của nhà nước bằng việc xóa nợ và kéo dài thời gian trả nợ, hạn chế các nguồn lực lẽ ra có thể được chuyển đến các công ty tư nhân. Trong khi luật lệ, quy định hiện hành về giao đất và cho thuê đất kinh doanh, sản xuất không phân biệt doanh nghiệp nhà nước hay tư nhân, doanh nghiệp nhà nước vẫn nắm giữ 70% đất đai dành cho sản xuất và kinh doanh”.Trong bài viết nói trên, ông Tô Lâm còn nhìn nhận: “ Trong nhiều trường hợp, doanh nghiệp nhà nước và doanh nghiệp nước ngoài nhận được nhiều ưu đãi hơn so với khu vực tư nhân. Doanh nghiệp nhà nước thường thuận lợi hơn trong tiếp cận đất đai, vốn, tín dụng; còn doanh nghiệp nước ngoài thường được hỗ trợ về thuế, thủ tục hải quan, tiếp cận đất đai.” Trả lời RFI Việt ngữ ngày 18/03/2025, chuyên gia kinh tế Lê Đăng Doanh cho rằng chính phủ phải tạo điều kiện cho các doanh nghiệp Việt Nam được tiếp cận đất đai và tiếp cận các ưu đãi như là với doanh nghiệp đầu tư nước ngoài: “Ví dụ như là một tập đoàn lớn của Hàn Quốc mà đầu tư vào một tỉnh thì tỉnh đó sẵn sàng cấp thêm đất và giảm giá đất vượt khỏi khung pháp luật của Việt Nam để giữ tập đoàn đó ở địa phương đó. Bây giờ nên áp dụng ưu đãi đó cho doanh nghiệp trong nước.Hiện nay, vì nhiều lý do, cho nên một số địa phương ưu đãi rất lớn đối với doanh nghiệp đầu tư nước ngoài, bởi vì doanh nghiệp đầu tư nước ngoài có tiềm lực lớn, có thể, trong một thời gian ngắn, phù hợp với thời gian cầm quyền của ông bí thư hay chủ tịch tỉnh, có thể đầu tư và nhanh chóng nâng cao thu nhập về thuế hay GDP, nhưng thực chất giá trị gia tăng được tạo ra ở Việt Nam thì lại không cao. Và tôi muốn nhấn mạnh rằng doanh nghiệp tư nhân là doanh nghiệp dân tộc, còn doanh nghiệp nước ngoài thì mang thương hiệu nước ngoài và sẽ chuyển lợi nhuận cũng như vốn đầu tư về nước họ. Doanh nghiệp tư nhân thì mang thương hiệu Việt Nam, sẽ đóng thuế và ở lại với đất nước Việt Nam.”Một hướng phát triển khác để tạo thuận lợi cho khu vực tư nhân, theo chuyên gia Lê Đăng Doanh, đó là phải đẩy mạnh việc chuyển sang chính phủ điện tử và thực hiện công khai, minh bạch.“Luật doanh nghiệp năm 1999 đã thực hiện sự thay đổi quan trọng đó và bây giờ cần phải tiếp tục thực hiện tốt hơn nữa. Tôi nghĩ rằng để làm việc đó thì phải chuyển mạnh sang kinh tế, chính phủ điện tử, thực hiện công khai minh bạch và tinh giản tối đa các giấy phép, các thủ tục hành chính, công khai trên mạng cho mọi người biết là việc này là do ai xử lý và xử lý đến bao giờ.Cũng về công khai minh bạch, nếu nhìn vào niên giám thống kê của Việt Nam thì phần lớn chỉ có thu, chi, tức là không nói rõ chi cho những gì, thu thì từ đâu. Trong khi đó, nếu đọc niên giám thống kê của Thụy Điển thì họ nói rất rõ, tức là nhà vua chi như thế nào, có đi chuyên cơ hay là đi máy bay thương mại. Thậm chí bữa cơm mà nhà vua tiếp khách nước ngoài thì gồm có 3 món nào, đãi rượu vang gì.Trên cơ sở đó, tôi hy vọng là môi trường kinh doanh của Việt Nam sẽ được và năng lực cạnh tranh của doanh nghiệp sẽ mạnh hơn. Hiện nay thì trước hết là con số giấy phép con hiện nay đã tăng rất nhiều.Theo báo cáo của Liên đoàn Thương mại và Công nghiệp thì con số giấy phép con đã vượt hơn 5.000.Rất cần lập lại một lần nữa bài học của thủ tướng Phan Văn Khải, người đã ký và bãi bỏ 258 giấy phép vào năm 2001. Tôi nghĩ là bây giờ bên cạnh việc vận dụng chính phủ điện tử và công khai minh bạch, việc giảm bớt các thủ tục hành chính, các giấy tờ là điều hoàn toàn có thể thực hiện được.Việt Nam đã có những tiến bộ như ta đã thấy, tức là có những hãng hàng không tư nhân như Vietjet, có quy mô và hoạt động về mặt trình độ chuyên môn có thể cạnh tranh được với. Với tầm nhìn như vậy, tôi nghĩ là nên mở rộng hơn nữa sự tham gia của doanh nghiệp tư nhân vào chính phủ điện tử, vào công nghệ thông tin.”Bên cạnh đó, chuyên gia Lê Đăng Doanh còn lưu ý về chính sách thu hút nhân tài để đóng góp cho việc phát triển nền kinh tế tư nhân ở Việt Nam: “Còn rất nhiều vấn đề mà chúng ta cần cải cách và phát triển lên. Một là chiến lược về nhân lực và chính sách đối với nhân tài, làm sao cho các nhân tài từ nước ngoài về được sử dụng ở Việt Nam sẽ được đối xử một cách tương xứng. Tôi không muốn nói là thu nhập của họ phải bằng như ở Pháp hay ở Mỹ, nhưng cũng phải là thu nhập cao đáng kể so với thu nhập bình thường ở Việt Nam, để họ có thể sống một cách thoải mái."Trong bài viết nói trên, tổng bí thư Đảng Cộng Sản Việt Nam Tô Lâm cũng đã đề ra một số giải pháp để « tạo ra một động lực đột phá » cho các doanh nghiệp tư nhân, trong đó có việc tiếp tục đẩy nhanh việc hoàn thiện thể chế kinh tế thị trường đầy đủ, thứ hai, bảo vệ hữu hiệu quyền tài sản, quyền sở hữu, quyền tự do kinh doanh, ưu tiên xây dựng các tập đoàn kinh tế tư nhân tầm cỡ khu vực và toàn cầu, , tạo cơ hội cho khu vực tư nhân tiếp cận hiệu quả, công bằng các nguồn vốn, đất đai, nhân lực, công nghệ.

Hôm 17/03/2025, báo chí chính thức ở Việt Nam đã đồng loạt đăng một bài viết của tổng bí thư đảng Cộng sản Tô Lâm. Việc truyền thông nhà nước phổ biến quan điểm của lãnh đạo đảng là chuyện bình thường ở Việt Nam, nhưng bài viết này đáng chú ý vì ông Tô Lâm đã không hết lời ca ngợi khu vực kinh tế tư nhân tại một đất nước mà về mặt chính thức kinh tế nhà nước vẫn nắm vai trò chủ đạo “trong một nền kinh tế thị trường định hướng xã hội chủ nghĩa”. Ngay từ năm 1986, khi bắt đầu “đổi mới”, Đảng Cộng sản Việt Nam đã công nhận “kinh tế tư bản tư nhân là một thành phần kinh tế”. Đến năm 2001, đảng cầm quyền ở Việt Nam tiếp tục phát triển kinh tế tư nhân “trong những ngành nghề mà pháp luật không cấm.” Nhưng thực ra thì đến năm 2011, tại Đại hội Đảng lần thứ 11, cụm từ "kinh tế tư nhân" mới lần đầu tiên được sử dụng chính thức, với chủ trương "hoàn thiện cơ chế, chính sách để kinh tế tư nhân trở thành một trong những lĩnh vực quan trọng của nền kinh tế". Năm 2017, Đảng ra nghị quyết nhấn mạnh cần "phát triển kinh tế tư nhân trở thành một động lực quan trọng của nền kinh tế thị trường định hướng xã hội chủ nghĩa". Nghị quyết này lần đầu tiên đưa ra các chỉ tiêu cụ thể về phát triển kinh tế tư nhân, như đến năm 2025 sẽ có 1,5 triệu doanh nghiệp, đóng góp khoảng 55% GDP. Tuy nhiên, những mục tiêu này đến nay vẫn chưa đạt được.Trong bài viết mang tựa đề "Phát triển kinh tế tư nhân: Đòn bẩy cho một Việt Nam thịnh vượng", tổng bí thư Tô Lâm ghi nhận: “Với gần 1 triệu doanh nghiệp, khoảng 5 triệu hộ kinh doanh cá thể, khu vực kinh tế tư nhân hiện đóng góp khoảng 51% GDP.” Nói chung, theo ông Tô Lâm, khu vực tư nhân “ngày càng thể hiện là động lực quan trọng nhất để thúc đẩy tăng trưởng kinh tế quốc gia.”Quan điểm của ông Tô Lâm là: “Một nền kinh tế cường thịnh không thể chỉ dựa vào khu vực nhà nước hay FDI, mà phải dựa vào nội lực là khu vực tư nhân vững mạnh, đóng vai trò tiên phong trong đổi mới và phát triển đất nước.”Nhưng ông Tô Lâm nhìn nhận rằng kinh tế tư nhân ở Việt Nam “vẫn đối mặt với nhiều rào cản kìm hãm sự phát triển và năng lực cạnh tranh.” Cụ thể, theo lãnh đạo đảng Cộng Sản Việt Nam doanh nghiệp tư nhân “còn gặp nhiều rào cản trong tiếp cận nguồn lực, đặc biệt là vốn tín dụng, đất đai, tài nguyên và nhân lực chất lượng cao, nhất là trong các ngành công nghệ, kỹ thuật và tài chính. Trong khi đó, một số doanh nghiệp nhà nước nắm giữ nhiều tài nguyên, đất đai, nguồn vốn, nguồn nhân lực chất lượng nhưng lại chưa khai thác hiệu quả, thậm chí còn để lãng phí.”Ấy là chưa kể “hệ thống pháp luật còn nhiều bất cập, chồng chéo, môi trường kinh doanh nhiều trở ngại, thủ tục hành chính phức tạp, tốn nhiều thời gian, chi phí và tiềm ẩn rủi ro. Nhiều trường hợp quyền tự do kinh doanh và quyền tài sản vẫn bị xâm hại bởi sự yếu kém hoặc lạm quyền của một số cán bộ, công chức trong thực thi công vụ.”Trong bản đánh giá về hiện trạng của khu vực kinh tế tư nhân của Việt Nam, đăng vào tháng 09/2021, Tổ chức Tài chính Quốc tế (International Finance Corporation - IFC), thành viên của Nhóm Ngân hàng Thế giới, cũng đã từng nêu bật sự bất bình đẳng giữa doanh nghiệp nhà nước và doanh nghiệp tư nhân ở Việt Nam :“Quy mô và ảnh hưởng lớn của doanh nghiệp nhà nước có thể cản trở cạnh tranh của doanh nghiệp nhỏ và mới hoạt động. Doanh nghiệp tư nhân khó tham gia và cạnh tranh đầy đủ ở nhiều thị trường do các ưu đãi dành cho doanh nghiệp nhà nước. Các ngân hàng thương mại tiếp tục cho những doanh nghiệp nhà nước có kết quả hoạt động yếu kém được vay tiền trên cơ sở phi thương mại, do đó làm tăng chi phí vay trong nước của các công ty làm ăn có lợi nhuận tốt. Các doanh nghiệp nhà nước gặp khó khăn về tài chính có thể nhận được hỗ trợ của nhà nước bằng việc xóa nợ và kéo dài thời gian trả nợ, hạn chế các nguồn lực lẽ ra có thể được chuyển đến các công ty tư nhân. Trong khi luật lệ, quy định hiện hành về giao đất và cho thuê đất kinh doanh, sản xuất không phân biệt doanh nghiệp nhà nước hay tư nhân, doanh nghiệp nhà nước vẫn nắm giữ 70% đất đai dành cho sản xuất và kinh doanh”.Trong bài viết nói trên, ông Tô Lâm còn nhìn nhận: “ Trong nhiều trường hợp, doanh nghiệp nhà nước và doanh nghiệp nước ngoài nhận được nhiều ưu đãi hơn so với khu vực tư nhân. Doanh nghiệp nhà nước thường thuận lợi hơn trong tiếp cận đất đai, vốn, tín dụng; còn doanh nghiệp nước ngoài thường được hỗ trợ về thuế, thủ tục hải quan, tiếp cận đất đai.” Trả lời RFI Việt ngữ ngày 18/03/2025, chuyên gia kinh tế Lê Đăng Doanh cho rằng chính phủ phải tạo điều kiện cho các doanh nghiệp Việt Nam được tiếp cận đất đai và tiếp cận các ưu đãi như là với doanh nghiệp đầu tư nước ngoài: “Ví dụ như là một tập đoàn lớn của Hàn Quốc mà đầu tư vào một tỉnh thì tỉnh đó sẵn sàng cấp thêm đất và giảm giá đất vượt khỏi khung pháp luật của Việt Nam để giữ tập đoàn đó ở địa phương đó. Bây giờ nên áp dụng ưu đãi đó cho doanh nghiệp trong nước.Hiện nay, vì nhiều lý do, cho nên một số địa phương ưu đãi rất lớn đối với doanh nghiệp đầu tư nước ngoài, bởi vì doanh nghiệp đầu tư nước ngoài có tiềm lực lớn, có thể, trong một thời gian ngắn, phù hợp với thời gian cầm quyền của ông bí thư hay chủ tịch tỉnh, có thể đầu tư và nhanh chóng nâng cao thu nhập về thuế hay GDP, nhưng thực chất giá trị gia tăng được tạo ra ở Việt Nam thì lại không cao. Và tôi muốn nhấn mạnh rằng doanh nghiệp tư nhân là doanh nghiệp dân tộc, còn doanh nghiệp nước ngoài thì mang thương hiệu nước ngoài và sẽ chuyển lợi nhuận cũng như vốn đầu tư về nước họ. Doanh nghiệp tư nhân thì mang thương hiệu Việt Nam, sẽ đóng thuế và ở lại với đất nước Việt Nam.”Một hướng phát triển khác để tạo thuận lợi cho khu vực tư nhân, theo chuyên gia Lê Đăng Doanh, đó là phải đẩy mạnh việc chuyển sang chính phủ điện tử và thực hiện công khai, minh bạch.“Luật doanh nghiệp năm 1999 đã thực hiện sự thay đổi quan trọng đó và bây giờ cần phải tiếp tục thực hiện tốt hơn nữa. Tôi nghĩ rằng để làm việc đó thì phải chuyển mạnh sang kinh tế, chính phủ điện tử, thực hiện công khai minh bạch và tinh giản tối đa các giấy phép, các thủ tục hành chính, công khai trên mạng cho mọi người biết là việc này là do ai xử lý và xử lý đến bao giờ.Cũng về công khai minh bạch, nếu nhìn vào niên giám thống kê của Việt Nam thì phần lớn chỉ có thu, chi, tức là không nói rõ chi cho những gì, thu thì từ đâu. Trong khi đó, nếu đọc niên giám thống kê của Thụy Điển thì họ nói rất rõ, tức là nhà vua chi như thế nào, có đi chuyên cơ hay là đi máy bay thương mại. Thậm chí bữa cơm mà nhà vua tiếp khách nước ngoài thì gồm có 3 món nào, đãi rượu vang gì.Trên cơ sở đó, tôi hy vọng là môi trường kinh doanh của Việt Nam sẽ được và năng lực cạnh tranh của doanh nghiệp sẽ mạnh hơn. Hiện nay thì trước hết là con số giấy phép con hiện nay đã tăng rất nhiều.Theo báo cáo của Liên đoàn Thương mại và Công nghiệp thì con số giấy phép con đã vượt hơn 5.000.Rất cần lập lại một lần nữa bài học của thủ tướng Phan Văn Khải, người đã ký và bãi bỏ 258 giấy phép vào năm 2001. Tôi nghĩ là bây giờ bên cạnh việc vận dụng chính phủ điện tử và công khai minh bạch, việc giảm bớt các thủ tục hành chính, các giấy tờ là điều hoàn toàn có thể thực hiện được.Việt Nam đã có những tiến bộ như ta đã thấy, tức là có những hãng hàng không tư nhân như Vietjet, có quy mô và hoạt động về mặt trình độ chuyên môn có thể cạnh tranh được với. Với tầm nhìn như vậy, tôi nghĩ là nên mở rộng hơn nữa sự tham gia của doanh nghiệp tư nhân vào chính phủ điện tử, vào công nghệ thông tin.”Bên cạnh đó, chuyên gia Lê Đăng Doanh còn lưu ý về chính sách thu hút nhân tài để đóng góp cho việc phát triển nền kinh tế tư nhân ở Việt Nam: “Còn rất nhiều vấn đề mà chúng ta cần cải cách và phát triển lên. Một là chiến lược về nhân lực và chính sách đối với nhân tài, làm sao cho các nhân tài từ nước ngoài về được sử dụng ở Việt Nam sẽ được đối xử một cách tương xứng. Tôi không muốn nói là thu nhập của họ phải bằng như ở Pháp hay ở Mỹ, nhưng cũng phải là thu nhập cao đáng kể so với thu nhập bình thường ở Việt Nam, để họ có thể sống một cách thoải mái."Trong bài viết nói trên, tổng bí thư Đảng Cộng Sản Việt Nam Tô Lâm cũng đã đề ra một số giải pháp để « tạo ra một động lực đột phá » cho các doanh nghiệp tư nhân, trong đó có việc tiếp tục đẩy nhanh việc hoàn thiện thể chế kinh tế thị trường đầy đủ, thứ hai, bảo vệ hữu hiệu quyền tài sản, quyền sở hữu, quyền tự do kinh doanh, ưu tiên xây dựng các tập đoàn kinh tế tư nhân tầm cỡ khu vực và toàn cầu, , tạo cơ hội cho khu vực tư nhân tiếp cận hiệu quả, công bằng các nguồn vốn, đất đai, nhân lực, công nghệ.

*Key news articles for today*The International Finance Corporation (IFC) unveiled the list of 11 Egyptian airports slated for development through public-private partnerships (PPP).China's Wu'an Xin Feng signed the contract for its USD1.7 bn integrated metal industries complex in the Ain Sokhna industrial zone with the government yesterday. The Egyptian Electric Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency (Egyptera) has temporarily halted the acceptance of requests to connect solar power plants to the grid until a regulatory framework for net metering and solar self-consumption is finalized.The House of Representatives approved a grant from the Japanese government worth JPY500 million (USD3.3 million) to the Ministry of Agriculture.Local fertilizer player Agro TH plans to establish its second factory in Sadat City in partnership with an Omani investor with an estimated investment of EGP5 bn.Local home appliances manufacturer Royal Home plans to list 20% of its shares on the EGX within the next 18 months.Instapay transfer fees come into effect on Tuesday, 1 April. Transfers will be subject to a 0.1% fee, ranging from EGP0.50 and EGP20 per transaction.ORAS 4Q24 consolidated net income attributable to shareholders decreased 29.2% YoY to USD31.0 million and adjusted net income attributable to shareholders increased 0.4% YoY to USD117.3 million in FY24. ORAS is currently trading at FY25e PE of 4.9x.JUFO reported 4Q24 attributable net profit of EGP298 million (+108.4% YoY, -69.0% QoQ). FY24 attributable net profit recorded EGP2,735 million (+167.9% YoY), missing our estimates of EGP2,969 million. JUFO is currently trading at FY25f P/E of 8.7x.TMGH and Alameda Healthcare signed a partnership agreement to build a 200-bed hospital in TMGH's Madinaty, with investments of EGP5.0 billion.HELI expects its revenue to reach EGP300.0 billion in ten years.EGCH obtained an EGP10 billion credit facility, from a consortium of 6 banks, to finance the company's nitric acid and ammonium nitrate project. The facility is distributed USD93 million in foreign currency and EGP5 billion in local currency.CIEB Annual General Meeting (AGM) has approved the distribution of cash dividends amounting to EGP3.2 per share, reflecting a payout ratio of 50%. The distribution date is set for April 17, and the record date is April 14.COMI has announced cash dividends of EGP2.50 per share. The distribution date is set for April 10, with a record date of April 7. BTFH announced that the coverage rate for the first phase of the company's capital increase subscription reached 92.11% amounting to 4.95 billion shares. ValU plans to issue securitized bonds worth EGP1 billion during the second quarter of this year.ETEL's assembly approved distributing cash dividends of EGP1.50/share, implying a DPO of 25.4% and a DY of 4.1%.Hilton will set up Africa's first Signia Hotel and Signia Residence in West Cairo's Skywalk. The 200-key hotel will include build on 5k sqm space.The Holding Company for Tourism and Hotels is working on adding 3k keys to its portfolio within the coming three years. 

The Madbouly government has formed new committees to address the effects of Trump's tariffs — direct and indirect. The committees are tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of Egypt's customs to adapt to recent global developments and, particularly, the tariffs imposed by some countries in response to US tariffs, a senior government official said. US President Donald Trump said auto tariffs will land “in the next few days,” with additional duties on pharma, lumber, and semiconductors set to follow “down the road”.  Trump said many of these levies will take effect on 2 April. Trump also confirmed a new 25% “secondary tariff” on any country purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela.Egypt aims to initially cut the customs clearance time for goods from eight days to just two — a measure that is expected to take between nine months to a year to be fully implemented. After that, the government aims to cut clearance time to just a few hours. The Finance Ministry aims to collect some EGP 74 bn in customs duties during the current fiscal year, a figure that may grow further with the resolution of disputes and the simplification of procedures, source said.The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will provide advisory services aimed at expanding private sector participation in Egypt's airports under an agreement inked with the Madbouly government yesterday, according to a cabinet statement.The government has requested a re-discussion and deliberation of some articles of the new draft labor law to ensure its compatibility with international standards and achieve greater balance in labor relations. This comes after the House of Representatives initially approved all articles of the law in its plenary session last Sunday.Khalda Petroleum Company plans to invest USD1.15 billion in drilling, exploration, and development activities during the next fiscal year, 2025-2026.An Egyptian-Turkish alliance, comprising the Egyptian Company for Trade and Agencies and the Turkish company "Kelpsen", intends to invest an initial USD10 million to establish a factory for water meters and valves.ARCC reported sturdy 4Q24 financial results with attributable bottom line recording a record EGP492.3 million in 4Q24 (+150% YoY, +55% QoQ), bringing FY24 attributable bottom line to EGP1,160.1 million (+66% YoY). ARCC's Board of Directors proposed no cash dividend distribution for FY24. ARCC is trading at FY25e P/E of 9.2x.ELEC reported a significant drop in attributable net income to EGP25.2 million (-91% YoY, -92% QoQ), bringing FY24 attributable net income to EGP1.3 billion (+6% YoY). COMI AGM decided to pay cash dividends of EGP2.50/share, which implies a payout ratio of 14% of 2024 net profit post minority, and to increase the issued and paid-in capital from EGP30.43 billion to EGP30.708 billion, as part of the ESOP.EXPA AGM approves to distribute 3.7:10 bonus shares.CIRA's BoD approved entering into an interest-free loan agreement convertible into shares in Social Impact Capital Educational Company, with a total amount of SAR15 million, to finance a capital increase in Social Impact Capital Educational Company, bringing CIRA's ownership stake at 61.56% of the company. 

The Madbouly government is aiming to transfer the administration of all state-owned companies to the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (SFE) in order to boost their returns, Investment Minister Hassan El Khatib said.Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk shared the details of the government's social protection package of wage and pension hikes and support to Egypt's most vulnerable. Some measures will take effect starting the new fiscal year in July and others will be implemented between March and July.The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is expected to reach an agreement with the Egyptian government on its privatization plan for the management of 11 airports by mid-March, the Civil Aviation Minister said. Egypt's government debt declined to 77.4% of GDP by the end of 2024, down from 78.2% in September, marking its lowest level since March 2020, according to data from the Institute of International Finance seen by Al Arabiya.Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al Sabah will visit soon to announce new joint investment projects, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said.Investment Minister Hassan El Khatib is expected to finalize a trade agreement with Morocco today to resolve an export standoff that has left 150 Egyptian containers, loaded with ceramics, food products, and insulation materials, stranded at Moroccan ports for two weeks.ETEL reported 4Q24 results. Net profit came in at EGP1.46 billion in 4Q24 (-43% YoY, -31% QoQ), bringing 2024 attributable net profit to EGP10.1 billion (-13.8% YoY). ETEL is currently trading at 2025f P/E of 5.3x.EFIH reported solid 4Q24 results. Net attributable profit recorded EGP382 million (+247% YoY, -39.4% QoQ). In 2024, net attributable profit stood at EGP1.77 billion (+41.2% YoY).  EFIH BoD proposed a cash dividend distribution of EGP0.173/share for 2H24, implying a DY of 1% and a DPO of 39.5% (out of 2H24 net attributable profit). Additionally, BoD proposed distributing 1 bonus share for each 2 original shares (a rate of 0.5 share for each original share), financed from internal sources. EFIH is currently trading at 2025f P/E of 17.3x.FWRY announced strategic investments worth EGP80 million in three prominent Egyptian technology companies, which are Dirac Systems, Virtual CFO, and Code Zone, acquiring equity stakes of 51.0%, 56.6%, and 51.0%, respectively. CNFN 4Q24 bottom line post minority recorded EGP247 million compared (+11% q/q, -3% y/y). The Group's FY24 bottom line post minority recorded EGP657.7 million compared to EGP692.2 million in FY23 (-5.0% y/y). The company is trading at multiples of 1.1x P/B25 and 5.3x P/E25.CNFN's CEO, Said Zater has stepped down as managing director and is starting a new role as the Group's board advisor.SWDY has been awarded an engineering, procurement, and construction contract for a combined cycle power plant in Hungary, by MVM Matra Energia, a subsidiary of Hungarian Electric Company. Chemical Industries Holding decided not to offer Delta Fertilizers to a strategic investor, despite interest from five local and Gulf firms, according to local media. PHDC approved establishing a subsidiary in Abu Dhabi.

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, your weekday newscast that brings you five major stories from the world of business. It's Friday, February 14, 2025. This is Nelson John, let's get started. Top Indian business schools are witnessing a resurgence in hiring activities, despite uncertainties stemming from global political developments. This rebound is attributed to the robust growth of India's economy, which has bolstered corporate confidence and led to an increased demand for management graduates. Companies across sectors such as technology, finance, and consulting are actively recruiting, offering competitive packages to secure top talent reports Devina sengupta & Pritista Bagi. However, global political events, including trade tensions and policy shifts, have introduced elements of unpredictability. These developments have prompted organizations to reassess their international strategies, potentially influencing the nature and volume of roles offered to graduates. Despite these challenges, the overall hiring sentiment remains optimistic, with firms focusing on candidates who can navigate complex global scenarios and drive growth in uncertain times. While global political dynamics present challenges, the strong domestic economic environment ensures that top Indian business schools continue to experience healthy hiring trends.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Income Tax Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha yesterday. The much-anticipated new Bill will not introduce new taxes but only simplifies the language of the existing Income Tax Act of 1961 and enhances clarity for taxpayers. Some of the key highlights include: Reduction of Obsolete Provisions: Numerous outdated and redundant sections have been eliminated to streamline the tax code.Consolidation of Sections: Related provisions, especially those concerning salaries and deductions, have been grouped together for easier reference.Introduction of ‘Tax Year': The bill introduces the concept of a “tax year,” aligning it with the financial year to reduce confusion.Taxpayer's Charter: A charter outlining the rights and obligations of taxpayers has been introduced to promote transparency and trust.Faceless Jurisdiction: Provisions have been made for faceless assessments to minimize direct contact between taxpayers and authorities, reducing potential biases.Enhanced Compliance Measures: The bill empowers the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to establish tax administration rules and implement digital tax monitoring systems without requiring frequent legislative amendments. Those were some of the key highlights of the new income tax bill.. Now this Bill, represents a significant step toward modernizing India's tax framework, aiming for greater simplicity, transparency, and taxpayer-friendliness. The new provisions are set to take effect from April 1, 2026, providing taxpayers ample time to adapt to the changes. Quantum computing is making big leaps forward, but most businesses aren't paying attention because they're busy with other tech priorities like AI. A startup called PsiQuantum, based in California, aims to build a fully functional quantum computer by 2027. Unlike other companies, they are using existing computer chip factories to speed up the process. Despite these advancements, a poll at the Wall Street Journal's CIO Network Summit revealed that none of the attending tech executives were actively exploring quantum computing applications for their businesses. Many are currently more focused on areas like artificial intelligence and adapting to evolving technology policies. However, India is making significant strides in quantum computing through government-led initiatives & research programs through the National Quantum Mission and collaborations with global tech firms like IBM, Google, and Microsoft who are partnering with Indian firms and universities to train talent in quantum technologies. India's investments in quantum computing are expected to transform industries like finance, healthcare, defense, and logistics in the coming years.The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, has invested ₹860 crore (approximately $98.35 million) in India's first sustainability-linked bond issued by Cube Highways Trust (Cube InvIT). The funds from this bond will be used to acquire NAM Expressway Limited, a key highway that links Chennai and Hyderabad. Additionally, the investment will support Cube InvIT's long-term objectives, including initiatives focused on sustainability and social inclusion. As the main investor, IFC's involvement is expected to attract more capital, promoting the development of India's road infrastructure while adhering to global ESG standards, reports subshas narayan. Global investment firm Carlyle has acquired controlling stakes in two Indian auto parts manufacturers, Highway Industries and Roop Automotives, to create a diversified auto components platform. Highway Industries specializes in powertrain parts, while Roop Automotives produces steering system assemblies and exports to Europe and North America. The founders of both companies will retain significant stakes and continue to be involved in the business. Carlyle aims to help these companies leverage operational synergies, enhance capabilities, and expand capacities to deliver greater value to their customers. This move reflects Carlyle's strategy to build a significant presence in India's auto components sector, focusing on companies that cater to electric vehicles and have strong export potential.  

Addressing gender inequality is not only a matter of intrinsic value and a moral imperative, but it can also enhance growth, productivity, competitiveness and the sustainability of economies. In this podcast, Valérie Guillaumin, Director, Sustainable Finance at ICMA, talked with two committed women, from well-known organisations that have issued bonds to finance social projects, about why investing in gender equality matters. Natasha GARCHA, Senior Director, Innovative Finance and Gender-Lens Investing Specialist at Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) Heather KIPNIS, Principal Operations Officer, Gender and Economic Inclusion Group at the International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Imported mobile phones could be subject to customs and tax fees totaling 37.5%, as part of incoming government regulations to support the country's mobile phone manufacturing localization efforts.Prime Minister is gearing up to announce “positive news” regarding the airport privatization plan developed with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).Infinity Power, UAE's Masdar, and Hassan Allam Utilities will soon launch a tender for a contractor to carry out their combined 1.2 GW solar projects planned for the Dahkla Oasis and Benban plant in Upper Egypt.The Ministry of Petroleum intends to launch an international bid for gold exploration in areas in the Eastern Desert.The CBE balances at the International Monetary Fund rose to EGP31.172 billion at the end of October, compared to EGP18.243 billion at the end of September 2024.The Egyptian government expects the World Bank to respond in 1Q25 to its request for new financing worth USD250 million in order to implement the state ownership policy.Jade Textile Company, a subsidiary of the Turkish Yeshim Group in Egypt, is implementing investment expansions in its factories in Cairo, Ismailia, and Alexandria, with a total investment of USD180 million.ORAS reported a steady set of results for 3Q24. Net income attributable to shareholders came in at USD21.6 million (+34% YoY, +12% QoQ) in 3Q24. This brought 9M24 bottom line to USD87.0 million, down 24% YoY. ORAS is currently trading at FY25e PE of 5.3x and EV/EBITDA of 1.2x.United Bank private placement on the EGX will wrap up later today. The offering is reportedly already 3x oversubscribed with still one day left of the placement to go. Retail subscription is starting on Wednesday until 3 December.The IFC inked an agreement with COMI that will see it grant the bank some USD150 million in soft financing aimed at supporting COMI's efforts to promote micro and small and medium-sized enterprises.BTFH's platform NEBIT aims to penetrate non-traditional fertilizer activities and agricultural supplements. Catalyst Partners Middle East (CPME) made its EGX debut yesterday. The SPAC listed 1 million shares with a nominal value of EGP10/share. JUFO BoD has initially approved the merge of Elmasreya for Dairy Products Company, Eldawleya Modern Food Industries Company, Egyptian Food Industries Company - EGYFOOD, and Al Marwa Food Industries Company into JUFO based on the book value of these companies according to FY23 financials.Egypt's chemicals and fertilizers exports increased by 5% YoY to USD6.5 billion in 9M24. Weekly Commodities Update |   | Last Price | WoW Change, % | Brent, USD/bbl | 75.2 | 5.80% | Diesel-HSFO Spread, USD/ton | 260 | 9.20% | Egypt Urea, USD/ton | 354 | 0.00% | Polyethylene, USD/ton | 975 | -0.50% | Polypropylene, USD/ton | 960 | -0.50% | Iron Ore 65%, USD/ton | 121 | 2.70% | Steel/Iron Ore Spreads, USD/ton | 389 | -4.00% | LME Copper Cash Price, USD/ton | 8,848 | -0.40% | LME Aluminum Cash Price, USD/ton | 2,597 | -1.20% | Egyptia Retail Cement, EGP/ton | 2,849 | 0.00% | Steam Coal FOB Newcastle Australia, USD/ton | 141 | -0.40% | SMP, USD/MT | 2,882 | 1.10% | Last price may vary week over week in some indices due to time difference

The Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has disclosed that Ghana nearly lost a colossal amount of $9 billion to arbitration claims against the government over the past four years. According to him, this amount could have collapsed the country's economy, but the claims were ultimately dismissed in favour of Ghana due to strong legal defenses. The Attorney General said this at the opening of the maiden Public Sector Lawyers Conference in Accra. Some arbitration cases against the country over the years include; The Ghana vs. International Finance Corporation (IFC) case (2020) when Ghana was involved in arbitration over a dispute with the (IFC), which had invested in Ghana's energy sector. In 2019, there was a case between Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and Aker Energy, in that case, there was a dispute between the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and Aker Energy, a Norwegian oil company, over an exploration agreement in the deep-water offshore oil fields.

Nthupang Magolego from the National Credit Regulator (NCR) of South Africa and Collen Masunda of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) join Jo Ann to discuss using a TechSprint model to tackle really hard problems in financial inclusion. 

This finding, from the IFC's whitepaper “Banking on Women Who Trade Across Borders”, speaks to the gender disparity that still exists in the international trade space, particularly in emerging markets. To learn more about the challenges that women entrepreneurs face when trading across borders and some of the initiatives in place to offer support, Trade Finance Global (TFG) spoke with Makiko Toyoda, Global Head of the Global Trade Finance and Global Supply Chain Finance Programs at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Tacko Baro Fall, Waemu Head Financial Institutions And International Organizations at Ecobank.   Read the article here: https://www.tradefinanceglobal.com/posts/podcast-s2-e11-empowerment-through-trade-ifc-ecobank-tackling-gender-disparity-global-trade/

MSCI published its May 2024 Index review. TMGH replaced HRHO in Egypt's Standard Index. HRHO is added to Egypt's Small Cap Index, while CLHO, CIRA, HELI, TMGH, and MFPC were deleted from Egypt's small cap index.The CBE absorbed liquidity worth EGP1.050 trillion from 32 banks within the framework of open market bids. All bid requests submitted by banks were accepted at an interest rate of 27.75%.The government is seeking to hedge against the risks of rising global oil prices for about 25% of the quantities it will import during the next fiscal year 2024/2025.The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones is preparing to launch 4 new free zones within 6 months, to attract more investments.NBE has raised its FX usage limits for credit cards for customers abroad and in Egypt. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has earmarked USD50 mn to invest in SPE PEF III — an SPE Capital-run private equity fund that focuses on mid-cap companies in Africa — to support entrepreneurs and create more jobs.The IFC has agreed to a local currency swap with Banque Misr to boost the IFC's lending capacity to local companies with limited access to foreign currency.Egypt's Industrial Modernization Center has inked an agreement with the German development agency GIZ to support local SMEs in the food and agricultural sectors over an 18-month period.The Senate and the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) have given the go ahead for an amendment to the Capital Market Act that would open the door for the establishment of private equity funds. According to the proposal, private equity funds would take the form of limited liability companies and simple partnerships.The Head of the Egyptian National Electricity Transmission Company confirmed that 40% of the first phase of the interconnection project between Saudi Arabia and Egypt has been completed, and this phase is scheduled to be completed in mid-2025 to generate 1,500 megawatts. More than 10 Turkish companies are looking to invest in the ready-made clothing and textile sector in the Egyptian market during the coming period. It is expected that the actual investment steps will kick off during the current year.ORHD (FV: EGP26.26, OW) achieved strong 1Q24 sales of EGP8.8 billion, up 218.3% y/y and 37.9% q/q. Net profit in 1Q24 got severely hit by FX loss, leading to a net loss of EGP1.2 billion, compared to net profit of EGP291.5 million in 1Q23 and net profit of EGP1.0 billion in 4Q23. EMFD (FV: EGP6.74, OW) reported operationally weak 1Q24 results, with revenue declining 15.4% y/y and 65.1% q/q to EGP1.6 billion driven by revenue in Marassi, which constituted 68.9% of total revenue. MASR (FV: EGP5.24, OW) declared EGP0.20/share cash dividends (Dividend Yield of 6.1%). Record date is 27 May 2024. Distribution date of first EGP0.10/share installment is 30 May 2024. Distribution date of second EGP0.10/share installment is 31 October 2024.EKHO released 1Q24 financial results posting a 14% YoY (-9% QoQ) decline in revenues to USD193 million due to lower urea prices as well as the floatation of the EGP.MOIL released consolidated unaudited 2023 financial indicators posting an 82% YoY growth in revenues to USD186.5 million. Net profit recorded USD47.7 million compared to a net loss of USD106.3 million in 2022.ATLC (EGP6.60, OW) 1Q24 net income recorded EGP39 million (+8% y/y, +49% q/q). SAUD (FV:EGP25.00, OW) 1Q24 net profit recorded EGP555 million (+25% y/y, -10% q/q). The stock is currently trading at P/B24 of 0.7x and P/E24 of 3.3x.RMDA reported 1Q24 results. Attributable net profit came in at EGP57 million (-14.3 YoY, +8.3% QoQ). SUGR reported 1Q24 results showing: Net profit came in at EGP217 million (-33% YoY, +16%QoQ). 

CCAP: What Does One Year Forward Look Like? In light of the potential debt settlement deals and restructuring plans of CCAP, we ran an exercise to examine the impact on the FV of the stock if the announced plans succeed. According to our assumptions and calculations, CCAP's debt will go down to EGP9,376.5 million (EGP2.35/share) by the end of 2024, while the number of shares will increase to 3,991.4 million shares, based on a capital increase of around USD231 million. We also updated the relative valuation for CCAP's subsidiaries and applied a conglomerate discount of 20% which resulted in a FV of EGP3.00/share (compared to EGP3.10/share in our previous update before the restructuring). Thus, we believe that the debt settlement and restructuring process including the capital increase will not erode CCAP's FV.Government sources said that some local and foreign investors intend to acquire varying percentages of the Egypt Aluminum and Delta Steel companies. The sources added that there are other offers to acquire two other companies owned by the Holding Company for Pharmaceuticals, explaining that the dollar amounts targeted to be collected from these deals range from USD2.5 billion to USD3 billion. The government is studying a World Bank recommendation for the creation of a new entity to which the ownership of all state-owned companies would be gradually transferred.Minister of Finance said that the first draft of the new income tax law will be prepared in six months, to be subject to dialogue with the private sector and business stakeholders.COMI (FV: EGP100.00, OW) recorded a strong set of 1Q24 results where net profit post-minority interest recorded EGP11,924 million (+65% q/q, +97% y/y).BTFH announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Beltone Leasing and Factoring, has signed a sale and leaseback agreement and factoring facility totaling EGP400 million with a real estate development company in Egypt.CNFN's subsidiary, Contact Pay, has inked a strategic partnership with e-payments firm Damen to work together to build a comprehensive digital payment ecosystem. Banque Misr's Misr Digital Innovation (MDI) has so far invested EGP2.5 billion in Onebank, which is set to be the country's first digital bank. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has agreed to grant Banque du Caire USD100 million in financing to be on-lent to micro, small, and medium enterprises, and female entrepreneurs.CCAP sent a release regarding the debt purchase offer submitted by QHRI. The FRA decided to extend the period of participation in the debt purchase to the shareholders on 27 May 2024. Qatari state-owned oil and gas company QatarEnergy is set to acquire a 40% working interest in ExxonMobil's Cairo and Masry offshore concessions under a farm-in agreement inked by the two parties.According to local media, TMGH (FV: EGP73.80, OW) achieved 1Q24 sales of EGP63.5 billion.According to local media, PHDC (FV: EGP7.11, OW) achieved 1Q24 sales of EGP28.9 billion, up 326.6% y/y and up 18.0% q/q.According to local media, MASR (FV: EGP5.24, OW) achieved 1Q24 sales of EGP14.8 billion, up 725.5% y/y and down 1.6% q/q.HELI (FV: EGP18.84, OW) Board proposed the distribution of EGP1.34/share cash dividends, implying a DY of 14.3%.EFID signed an eight-year tenor loan with a value of EGP990 million to finance new production lines to boost capacity. Egypt's ceramics exports dropped 33% YoY to USD24 million in 1Q24 due to geopolitical instabilities in the region.

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a leading supplier of products, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says all the work being done by government on the financial structure to facilitate private investment into the country's transmission infrastructure is being consolidated under his Ministry, including the work being done on the issue by the National Treasury and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). This confirmation follows an announcement in the National Treasury's Budget Review that a request for proposals will be released by the end of July for a pilot project involving "off-balance-sheet financing to accelerate private-sector investment in transmission, without negatively affecting Eskom's balance sheet and the fiscus". Ramokgopa indicated during a briefing on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan that his Ministry had been working with the National Treasury, the IFC and others on what he termed an "EPC plus F" concept, involving the engineering, procurement, construction plus financing of new transmission infrastructure. He insisted that the plan was being coordinated under his auspices with the intention of settling on a way to structure such transactions without the need for government guarantees or undermining the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), the grid and system operator currently being established as an independent entity under Eskom Holdings. "I'm confident that within the next two weeks I will be coming back to the country to say: 'This is how we are going to progress'," Ramokgopa said. Internal discussions within government, including discussions with the NTCSA, still had to be finalised, however. Once concluded, it was possible that private sector participation could be directed towards supporting three priority corridors, which Ramokgopa indicated could unlock 2 300 MW of new renewables generation capacity. He also expressed confidence that there was funding available for developing new grid infrastructure based on a build, own, operate and transfer model used internationally, which would be "domesticated" for the South African context, including the policy that the NTCSA remained the sole system operator and the custodian of the grid. Lessons were being drawn from South Africa's experiences in procuring generation capacity from private investors, including the value of having procurement located at "arm's length" from government's bureaucratic processes, as has been the case with the Independent Power Producer Office. Prior to the appointment of the NTSCA board earlier in the year, the Minister indicated that the transmission procurement agency might be located within either the Development Bank of Southern Africa or the Industrial Development Corporation. The NTCSA already had a Transmission Development Plan and any private sector participation would be guided by that plan with the intention of accelerating implementation. There is also an ambition to channel concessional and grant funding towards transmission projects, especially the nearly $12-billion in funding committed to the Just Energy Transition Partnership Implementation Plan. To date, this funding has not been integrated with physical projects, with most of the concessional loans approved to date having flowed into the general fiscus as 'policy loans'. "We are not sitting with a money problem; we are sitting with a structuring problem … and we are at an advanced stage on [finalising that structure]," Ramokgopa insisted.

This audio is brought to you by Endress and Hauser, a leading supplier of products, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says all the work being done by government on the financial structure to facilitate private investment into the country's transmission infrastructure is being consolidated under his Ministry, including the work being done on the issue by the National Treasury and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). This confirmation follows an announcement in the National Treasury's Budget Review that a request for proposals will be released by the end of July for a pilot project involving "off-balance-sheet financing to accelerate private-sector investment in transmission, without negatively affecting Eskom's balance sheet and the fiscus". Ramokgopa indicated during a briefing on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan that his Ministry had been working with the National Treasury, the IFC and others on what he termed an "EPC plus F" concept, involving the engineering, procurement, construction plus financing of new transmission infrastructure. He insisted that the plan was being coordinated under his auspices with the intention of settling on a way to structure such transactions without the need for government guarantees or undermining the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), the grid and system operator currently being established as an independent entity under Eskom Holdings. "I'm confident that within the next two weeks I will be coming back to the country to say: 'This is how we are going to progress'," Ramokgopa said. Internal discussions within government, including discussions with the NTCSA, still had to be finalised, however. Once concluded, it was possible that private sector participation could be directed towards supporting three priority corridors, which Ramokgopa indicated could unlock 2 300 MW of new renewables generation capacity. He also expressed confidence that there was funding available for developing new grid infrastructure based on a build, own, operate and transfer model used internationally, which would be "domesticated" for the South African context, including the policy that the NTCSA remained the sole system operator and the custodian of the grid. Lessons were being drawn from South Africa's experiences in procuring generation capacity from private investors, including the value of having procurement located at "arm's length" from government's bureaucratic processes, as has been the case with the Independent Power Producer Office. Prior to the appointment of the NTSCA board earlier in the year, the Minister indicated that the transmission procurement agency might be located within either the Development Bank of Southern Africa or the Industrial Development Corporation. The NTCSA already had a Transmission Development Plan and any private sector participation would be guided by that plan with the intention of accelerating implementation. There is also an ambition to channel concessional and grant funding towards transmission projects, especially the nearly $12-billion in funding committed to the Just Energy Transition Partnership Implementation Plan. To date, this funding has not been integrated with physical projects, with most of the concessional loans approved to date having flowed into the general fiscus as 'policy loans'. "We are not sitting with a money problem; we are sitting with a structuring problem … and we are at an advanced stage on [finalising that structure]," Ramokgopa insisted.

The Finance Ministry is looking to raise USD500 million in a bond issuance in India in 2024, Minister said. The bond would be denominated in INR. The tax revenue on the Suez Canal Authority's income during 1Q23/24 increased by 151.6% to EGP21.4 billion.The CBE is currently negotiating with the UAE to roll over a USD3 billion deposit, due current December.The African Finance Corporation aims to pump investments worth more than USD1 billion into mega projects in the Egyptian market during the coming period.From COP28: Six major oil players, including BP, Eni, and Total Energies, each pledged USD25 million for a new fund that will help oil companies across developing countries bring down their methane emissions. We published our 3Q23 Cement Wrap Up and Valuation Updates report today, where:•We upgraded our FV for ARCC to EGP13.01/share up from EGP9.94/share and maintain our Overweight recommendation for the stock.•We upgraded our FV for MCQE to EGP22.36/share up from EGP15.18/share and maintain our Equalweight recommendation for the stock.•We upgraded our FV for MBSC to EGP44.17/share up from EGP25.73/share and maintain our Equalweight recommendation for the stock.SWDY (FV: EGP34.96, OW) signed a MoU with Indonesian state electricity distributor PT PLN (Persero) to help the Indonesian government link its new renewable energy generators with the national electricity grid.SWDY's subsidiary, Elsewedy Industrial Development, and Futurefert inked the land allocation agreement to set up a USD50 million fertilizer complex in Elsewedy's Sokhna 360 industrial zone.Also, Elsewedy Industrial Development awarded the Chinese fiberglass manufacturer Jushi a 60k-sqm plot in its Industrial Sokhna project located in the TEDA zone to expand its factory in China's TEDA trade zone with investments of USD8 million.We upgraded our FV for MFPC to EGP387/share. Our FV takes into account the following:•Updated macro assumptions (FX rates, interest rates, and inflation).•Global Urea prices outlook.•Those yielded a FV/share of EGP261.50/share.•We also included some of the company's future plans like the revamp and melamine project.MFPC is currently trading at 2024f P/E of 15.2x and EV/EBITDA of 10.4x.A consortium, which includes Helwan Fertilizers, ABUK, and Al Ahly Capital Holding, now have their eyes on a green ammonia project. The proposed project would require USD1.2 billion of investment, 70% of which would be financed by bank loans and the remainder from the companies' cash reserves.The Sovereign Fund of Egypt will announce new partnerships on the green ammonia front during COP28, be it through already existing green plants or greening existing ammonia plants, CEO Ayman Soliman said.PHDC (FV: EGP5.59, OW) signed an agreement with Marriott International to develop a new hotel, the Ritz-Carlton Palm Hills, in PHDC's Palmet project in West Cairo. The hotel's investment cost is estimated at EGP4.0 billion.MHOT declared 1:1 stock dividends. Record date is 20 Dec 2023. Distribution date is 21 Dec 2023.BTFH has applied to the FRA for initial approval to set up an SME-focused lender. The firm would be set up with a EGP250 million in capital. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has agreed to lend USD50 million in sharia-compliant financing to SAUD to finance MSMEs. ValU will provide financing plans allowing people to purchase vaccines from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) under an agreement signed by the two firms.The Supply Ministry has poured 50k tons of sugar into the local market to be sold at EGP27/kg in an effort to stabilize the marketAccording to local media, GB Capital's subsidiaries will be issuing securtitization bonds of EGP8.5 billion by the end of 2023.

Braço do Banco Mundial para o setor privado, a International Finance Corporation (IFC) tem mais de US$ 100 milhões para investir em startups na América Latina. Mas os aportes não estão saindo. Carlos Moreno, responsável por venture capital na região, conta os motivos

In our next episode, we talk to Faheen Allibhoy, Managing Director of the J.P. Morgan Development Finance Institution.  The J.P. Morgan Development Finance Institution (JPM DFI) was launched in January 2020 to spur investment supporting economic development in emerging markets. The JPM DFI aims to increase the origination and distribution of assets with development impact to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.  Faheen is a seasoned investment professional with a deep understanding of international business, emerging markets, and the development agenda. She has sector expertise in infrastructure, renewable energy, industrials, and private equity funds. Prior to J.P. Morgan, she spent 18 years at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank, where she was responsible for setting strategy, business development, transaction execution and portfolio management.  In her role, Faheen was responsible for IFC's investments, advisory operations and client relationships in Senegal, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Mauritania. Faheen started her career at Merrill Lynch in Investment Banking based in New York. She is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations, Wellesley Business Leadership Council, the Harvard Business School Advisory Council for Africa and the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on the Future of Resilient Financial Systems.

Blue finance is making waves in the sustainable finance space. Marlena Kareem from ISFI speaks to Christina Ongoma, the manager of financial institutions group for upstream advisory services at the World Bank Group's private sector development arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), about how the IFC develops blue and thematic Sukuk in emerging markets.

Egypt's PMI recorded 49.2 in August, equivalent to July's figure, as output and new orders fell at modest rates while employment and inventories moved into expansion. A faster increase in input costs reduced overall activity.  Egypt's government plans to use the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to contract with a global consulting firm to develop a clear investment strategy for Egypt and improve Egypt's ranking in the ease of doing business index in the coming years, with the aim of raising investment rates by 25% to 30%. The IFC is also developing an integrated plan for the government's IPO program.Egyptians living abroad can now purchase land in new cities from abroad. GASC bought 480k metric tons of wheat from Russian commodity trader Solaris for USD 270 per metric ton on a cost and freight basis (C&F). Israel, Greece, and Cyprus agreed yesterday to form a deeper trilateral energy partnership to export Israeli gas to Europe and connect their energy grids. Israel currently sells around 4.6 bcm of natural gas a year to Egypt, which then exports a portion to Europe via its LNG facilities and uses the rest for local consumption.  Moscow and Ankara are close to agreeing to set up a gas trading hub in Turkey, a move that will provide Russia with another avenue to export gas and strengthen Turkey's position as a major energy player in the region.  The Central Bank intends to issue instructions for preparing banks for better settlement setup, improve banks' governance, strengthen the board of directors' roles, and prevent conflicts of interest. The CBE is working on a project to digitize remittances, through incentives, such as the points system, cash back, and discounts for merchants, the issuance of products in foreign currency to encourage beneficiaries to save, where agreements have been made with banks and exchange bureaus in the Gulf to target and educate dispatchers. The announced transaction implies an EV/ton of USD466 (EGP14,396) for Hadeed. If we apply the same multiple to ESRS, and take into account a discount for Egypt's macro challenges then ESRS's value will reach EGP68.63/ share implying an upside potential of 33% based on ESRS's last price, and 26% higher than our DCF valuation of EGP54.60/share, as per the table below.The Housing Ministry is putting together a list of local construction companies recommended for taking on infrastructure projects in Iraq. ORAS and SWDY are key beneficiaries. Egyptian contracting companies have obtained cabinet approval to extend the contract execution period for an additional 6 months, in light of macro challenges. Banque Misr is looking forward to selling a 20-30% stake in Banque du Caire to a strategic investor during 2024. Beltone Financial Holding has inked a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of Minya-based microfinance provider Cash after completing due diligence on the company.Egypt Education Platform, owned partially by HRHO, intends to invest EGP1 billion for expansion until 2025. EGTS's appeal against the court's ruling in December 2021 requiring EGTS to pay USD5.7 million (EGP0.17/share) to Trans Mediterranean for Tourism Investments in relation with a canceled land sale contract was denied.EgyptAir launched flights between Cairo and São Paulo, running two flights a month.

This episode is about measuring Sustainability Impact. We covered topics - Your defination of impact investing - Current challanges around Sustainable finance. - Example of a sustainability strategy - Why is Carbon Credits is only a mitigation tool? - What is measurable? - What is traceable? - What is auditable? - Role of a ESG Scorecard - Message to the new generation - Is sharing a scorecard an indicator that scorecard is working as an agent of change? ---- Important Links Guest - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-verra-141525/ Company - https://www.thirdway.earth/ Personal Website (Spanish speakers) - https://pabloverra.com/ Global Impact Investing Network - https://thegiin.org/ International Finance Corporation (IFC) - https://www.ifc.org/en/home EU taxonomy for sustainable activities - https://finance.ec.europa.eu/sustainable-finance/tools-and-standards/eu-taxonomy-sustainable-activities_en The 10 Core Carbon Principles - https://icvcm.org/the-core-carbon-principles/ International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) - https://www.ifrs.org/groups/international-sustainability-standards-board/ Green Bonds - https://treasury.worldbank.org/en/about/unit/treasury/ibrd/ibrd-green-bonds ---- ESG Scorecard 2X Formula - Do you want to double the impact of your ESG Scorecard? This means you will 2X the time users spend on your scorecard, twice the number of visitors and two times the count of feedback. Download Now by clicking this link https://73bit.com/2x

EGX30 Rebalancing| Starting August 1, the following stocks will be included in the EGX30 Index: BTFH, BINV, ORHD, ALCN and the following will be excluded: TALM, ISPH, CLHO, RMDA.OCDI (FV: EGP23.30, OW) reported strong 2Q23 sales of EGP5.4 billion, up 83.3% y/y and 93.9% q/q, bringing 1H23 sales up 22.5% y/y to EGP8.2 billion. Net profit in 2Q23 reached EGP147.8 million, up 125.6% y/y and down 21.1% q/q, bringing 1H23 net profit up 14.9% y/y to EGP335.1 million. With 1H23 sales of EGP8.2 billion, OCDI is on track to reach our FY23 sales forecast of EGP17.4 billion projected in our FV of EGP23.30/share. TMGH's (FV: EGP19.67, OW) subsidiary issued a EGP400.0 million securitization backed by club memberships in Madinaty and Al Rehab.PIF is competing with the QIA to acquire ETEL's stake in Vodafone Egypt. Sources added that ADQ has also expressed interest in acquiring the stake, according to local press.OPay, a fast-growing fintech player operating in Egypt, Nigeria, and Pakistan, is planning to apply for a digital bank license in Egypt with a paid-in capital of USD60 million.Five suppliers, including SWDY (FV: EGP22.87, OW), won a tender to supply 20k prepaid electric meters each for the Alexandria Distribution Company.Official sources at The Export Council for Chemical Industries and Fertilizers stated that lower natural gas feedstock will have a short-term negative impact and it is hard to be extended for more than one month due to the export commitments local producers have. Accordingly, local producers will reduce a portion of local sales in order to better manage the situation at hand. MICH released FY22/23 net profit came in at EGP543 million, higher by 158% YoY. MICH is trading at FY22/23 P/E multiple of 3.17x.BINV and MTIE have together invested EGP505 mn in newly-established pharma logistics firm EZ International where BINV invested EGP300 mn while MTIE invested EGP205 mn. The investment was made through SPV B Pharma, in which MTI recently acquired a 40% stake in return for its investment while BINV holds the remaining 60%.AXPH released FY22/23 Bottom line recorded EGP125.1 million in FY22/23 (+3.0% YoY). AXPH is currently trading at FY22/23 P/E of 6.4x and EV/EBITDA of 3.4x.ISPH shareholders approved reducing the company's capital to EGP252 million from EGP280 million by canceling 112 million treasury shares.Al Amal Auto will temporarily suspend operations at its BYD assembly plant in Egypt within two weeks, due to difficulty obtaining foreign currency to import the required production components.The African Export-Import Bank “Afrexim Bank” renewed two loans to the United Bank for a period of one year, with a total value of nearly USD 1 billion, guaranteed by the CBE. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is considering lending Al Baraka Bank (SAUD) Egypt USD 55 million to expand financing for small, medium, and micro enterprises, especially those owned by women.ETRS plans to launch its subsidiary “Egytrans for Car Solutions” (car warehousing facility) by the end of this year, or early next year at the latest, in addition to studying other investment opportunities.CNFN plans to issue a new securitization process worth more than EGP 1 billion by the end of 3Q23.CICH announced the completion of the issuance of securitization bonds in favor of Aman, with a total value of EGP 859 million.Weekly Commodities Update |  Last Price           WoW Change, %Brent, USD/bbl  85.0      4.8%Diesel-HSFO Spread, USD/ton     414.6    19.1%Egypt Urea, USD/ton      451.5    11.3%Polyethylene, USD/ton  1,020.0 0.0%Polypropylene, USD/ton              902.5    2.0%Steel/Iron Ore Spreads, USD/ton    &

Dr. Biju Mohandas has led investments at not just one but three different household names in impact investing: LeapFrog Investments, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Acumen. Tune in today to hear about his take on the upcoming global healthcare crisis, the competitive edge of entrepreneurs in Africa and India, and the catalytic role of impact investors. Hear the investment priorities of a man who's been leading impact investments in healthcare in Africa as long as the term "impact investing" has existed.   Dr. Biju Mohandas is a Partner at LeapFrog and the firm's Global Co-Leader for Health Investments. Prior to LeapFrog, Dr Mohandas led the IFC's Healthcare and Education investment team in Sub-Saharan Africa and was the Global Sector Lead for Medical Devices after also serving as head of Acumen in East Africa and as part of their founding team in India.   We'll cover: (2m35s) – The coming global healthcare crisis (8m45s) – How Africa and India are poised to leapfrog ahead (12m11s) – Investing in asset-light healthcare  (15m09s) – Goodlife Pharmacy's re-emergence after the Westgate Attack in Nairobi (18m08s) – How Redcliffe Diagnostics is bringing the lab closer to people in India (21m38s) – Pervasive technology, IoT, and wellness (23m04s) – HealthifyMe, the largest digital wellness app in India (26m13s) – How investors exit from ventures in emerging markets (30m10s) – Rapid fire questions   Submit a question to our mailbag and we'll discuss it on a future show. Emails or voice recordings can be sent to podcast@aidevolved.com    Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter (@AidEvolved) and access Biju's latest synthesis on the state of healthcare in Africa at https://AidEvolved.com.  

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) says MSMEs in Africa face challenges in acquiring resources such asfinance, markets, and technology. In some countries like Uganda for example, MSMEs  for 75% of private sector employment but only 16% access formal finance.

Continuing from previous episodes about encouraging global investment in green hydrogen, Patrick Molloy and Alicia Eastman speak with Ignacio de Calonje, Chief Investment Officer, IFC Global Infrastructure. Ignacio breaks down the role of the IFC and its relationship with other Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to encourage decarbonization and bespoke solutions for the Global South. Ignacio de Calonje:Ignacio de Calonje is the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Global Infrastructure Department. He is based in London, and amongst other responsibilities, co-leads the IFC Global Green Hydrogen Hub team. IFC established a Green Hydrogen Hub team to bring together IFC expertise across the low carbon value chain and evaluate opportunities in the area.In addition to this role, Ignacio also leads the IFC Sustainable Finance practice in the infrastructure space, focusing on supporting IFC clients to issue green, social, sustainability and sustainability-linked financial instruments. He is also responsible for managing a number of key IFC Western European clients in the energy and mining sectors. Prior to his posting in London, Ignacio was based in Istanbul, Cairo, and Washington DC. Ignacio has extensive experience in the field of international finance, having worked on numerous equity and debt investments in emerging markets. Ignacio was also a non-Executive Director of Alcazar Energy (a renewable energy company with 400 MW of solar and wind assets in operation in Egypt and Jordan) from 2019 to 2021 and non-Executive Director of Kuwait Energy (an oil & gas company with operations in Iraq, Egypt and Oman) from 2017 to 2019. Ignacio holds a BSc in Business Administration from Universidad San Pablo-CEU (Madrid) and a Masters Degree from Columbia University (New York).IFC:A member of the World Bank Group, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. IFC advances economic development and improves the lives of people by encouraging the growth of the private sector in developing countries. IFC aims to achieve this by creating new markets, mobilizing other investors, and sharing expertise. In doing so, they create jobs and raise living standards, especially for the poor and vulnerable. Their work supports the World Bank Group's twin goals of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity.----Links:IFC - https://www.ifc.orgIFC Hydrogen Project in Barbados - https://pressroom.ifc.org/all/pages/PressDetail.aspx?ID=27193

What does it take to create gender equality at work? How can we help marginalised groups progress in business – and particularly marginalised women in business? Listen to this podcast to hear from Social Impact Pioneers helping young women from underserved backgrounds to progress and succeed in the workplace. Your gender, your education, your background, and your earning potential are all connected. If we're going to create gender equality in the workplace, we need to understand that not all women have the same background, privileges, and experience. A woman's earning potential goes up 20% for every year of schooling she completes. And sadly, girls are less likely to complete school than boys. Meet Social Impact Pioneers: Rani Pooran and Tere Gonzalez. They are champions of women in the workplace. Working tirelessly to create gender parity in education and in business. Together they talk in practical terms, about what we can do to help girls, particularly from marginalised backgrounds to succeed, prosper and reach their potential. They share practical ways for individuals and employers to take positive action. Rani Pooran is the Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group. Now based in Washington DC, Rani has worked in the UK, US and Canada. She is a past Chair of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative's Gender Equality Working Group and a former board member and Vice-President of a community mental health agency based in Toronto. Tere, is the Executive Director of Circle de Luz. The Charlotte based organisation empowering young Latinas through extensive mentoring, holistic programming and scholarship funds for further education. She was appointed as one of the first 17 United Nations Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals in recognition of her work around the world. Tere has previously worked at the United Nations Foundation, the Organization of American States, and the World Bank Group to advance shared prosperity, youth empowerment, gender equality, diversity, and the upward mobility of underserved groups. She is now the leader of Circle de Luz. Tere says: “I am a proud immigrant from Mexico and leader of a US based organisation empowering young Latinas and advancing their education. I believe education is one of the greatest assets a person can have—with a ripple effect on communities, economies, and the next generations.” And we would love to hear your thoughts on this conversation and urge you to join in the collection of better data to help everyone to be able to get on and achieve their potential. Do get in touch: https://twitter.com/FightPoverty and https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-fights-poverty/ Links: Catalyst Link: https://www.catalyst.org/research/emotional-tax-teams-key-findings/ Tere Gonzalez - https://www.linkedin.com/in/globaltere/ and @globaltere Circle de Luz: www.circledeluz.org Circle de Luz on social media: • Instagram – @circledeluz • Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/CircledeLuz • LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/circle-de-luz/ • Twitter – @circledeluz Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the IFC: https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/Topics_Ext_Content/IFC_External_Corporate_Site/FP_Home/People IFC research: https://www.forbes.com.mx/ellas-lideran-mujeres-representan-52-de-los-inscritos-en-cursos-en-linea/ Children and Poverty education facts: https://www.compassion.com/poverty/education.htm Children International, Global Poverty and Education: https://www.children.org/global-poverty/global-poverty-facts/facts-about-world-poverty-and-education

0:00 -- Intro.1:38 -- Start of interview.2:56 -- George's "origin story."  He's based in London since 1988. About his new role at the European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI).7:24 -- Mike's "origin story." On his experience with ADRs and cross-listings with Latin American companies. His experience working at NYC and Mexican law firms, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), OECD-Latin America Roundtable on Corporate Governance and Cartica Management.15:52 -- On the origin and focus of their book  "Governance, Stewardship and Sustainability." (2nd edition 2022). Based on (and used for) the ICGN course of the same name.20:37 -- How they define stewardship, sustainability and ESG.27:22 -- On ICGN Global Stewardship Principles and ICGN Global Governance Principles. The G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance.31:07 -- On their ESG methodology, proposed in their book.34:52 -- The Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal and case study.39:51 -- On two-tiered boards, employee representation on boards, and purpose of the corporation (stakeholder v shareholder visions).43:00 -- On the politicization of governance and the "anti-ESG" trend in the U.S. 48:20  -- On large asset managers passing-through voting power to beneficial owners (see BlackRock's Voting Choice). 51:17  -- Thoughts and recommendations for directors regarding shareholder activism (from Mike Lubrano)53:44  -- Activism in emerging markets, and/or in controlled companies.56:58  -- Thoughts and recommendations for directors (from George Dallas).59:20 - What are the 1-3 books that have greatly influenced your life: George:The Art of Loving, by Erich Fromm (1956)Author: Amor Towles.Mike:Author: Terry Pratchett (valued for his irreverence)Author: Tony Judt (historian)Author: Enrique Krauze (Mexican historian)01:00:51 - Who were your mentors, and what did you learn from them?George: John Holcomb (academic), Bob Monks and Nell Minow, Prof Christian Strenger (Germany)Mike: Stephen Davis, George Dallas, Mats Isaksson (ex OECD)01:03:46 - Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by? George: From Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”Mike: "Good is good, too good is no good." (from his Sicilian grandmother)01:05:12 -  An unusual habit or an absurd thing that they love: George: he plays in the banjo in local bluegrass band.Mike: backyard pizza maker.01:06:14 -  The living person they most admire:George: John Lewis (recently passed) and Jimmy Carter.Mike: Barack Obama.George Dallas is the Head of Content at the European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) and former Policy Director at the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN).Mike Lubrano is a Managing Director of Valoris Stewardship Catalysts and former Managing Director of Corporate Governance and Sustainability at Cartica Management, LLC.__ You can follow Evan on social media at:Twitter: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

Kanika Mayar is a Partner at Vertex Ventures SEA & India (VVSEAI), a fund part of the global Vertex Ventures network of funds, with portfolio companies such as Licious, FirstCry, Nium, Binance, Grab, Yatra, and Happy Fresh. In addition to Southeast Asia and India, the Vertex Global Network is comprised of affiliates in Silicon Valley, China and Israel. Kanika joined Vertex Ventures in 2020 and focuses on opportunities in India in agritech, B2B, consumer, and health tech. Kanika has worked in private equity, asset management, and investment banking for over 9 years.Prior to joining Vertex, Kanika was an Investment Officer with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) where she focused on investing in early-stage technology, telecom, renewable energy and infrastructure companies across India and South Asia. Before IFC, Kanika was with Goldman Sachs's Investment Banking team covering transactions in natural resources in Europe.Kanika holds a Bachelor in Economics from the Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.Episode Notes:1. Intro (1:30)2. Kanika's professional trajectory (2:42)3. A general overview of the VC industry in recent years (7:00)4. India's macro trends (14:22)5. Kanika's India thesis (21:23)6. Portfolio startup learnings (31:51)7. Establishing long-term relationships with founders (41:20)8. Advice to anyone entering venture capital (51:30). . . Social Links: Vertex Ventures on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VertexVenturesKanika Mayar on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KanikaMayarPodcast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thedesi_vcAkash Bhat on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bhatvakashPodcast on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedesivcAkash Bhat on Instagram: https://instagram.com/bhatvakash

Patience Ball and Dr. Ruth Shaber, the authors of The XX Edge: Unlocking Higher Returns and Lower Risk, make a well-researched case that women entrepreneurs and C-suite executives deliver stronger long-term performance that drive higher financial returns and more positive societal outcomes. They both draw on real-world experience. Patience, who raised more than $16 billion for women entrepreneurs as Principal Investment Officer and Global Head of Banking on Women at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is now founder and CEO of the Women of the World Endowment, an investment nonprofit. Ruth, the co-founder and board chair of Rhia Ventures, a group of foundations and investors that collaborate to bring new types of capital and enterprise to the field of reproductive health, was featured in Forbes 2020 Impact 50: Investors Seeking Profit—and Pushing for Change for her contributions to the field of impact investing.

Ahead of the 2023 Annual Meeting, Makhtar Diop, the Managing Director and Executive Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), shares a special funding initiative designed to confront the food crisis, one that can also help address other issues including financial resilience for farmers and more sustainable solutions for the climate. Success requires new forms of collaboration and drives home one of the key themes of this year's global conference in Davos, 'Cooperation in a fragmented world.' Diop also shares what gives him hope, what keeps him up at night, and what he hopes leaders should prioritise at this year's conference in Davos.  These resources can help you learn more about the topics in this episode: IFC: The IFC is the private sector arm of the World Bank, and describes itself as ‘the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. Learn more here: Global Food Security Platform: this IFC initiative is tackling the overlapping crises simultaneously including the food crisis, financial resilience and climate change. Learn more here. OPC: The world's largest producer of phosphate-based fertilizers is a Strategic Partner at the World Economic Forum and announced a plan in October to dedicate 4 million tonnes of fertilizers to strengthen food security in Africa. Learn more here

Ahead of the 2023 Annual Meeting, Makhtar Diop, the Managing Director and Executive Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), shares a special funding initiative designed to confront the food crisis, one that can also help address other issues including financial resilience for farmers and more sustainable practices for the climate. Success requires new forms of collaboration and drives home one of the key themes of this year's global conference in Davos, 'Cooperation in a fragmented world.' Diop also shares what gives him hope, what keeps him up at night, and what he hopes leaders will prioritise at this year's conference in Davos. These resources can help you learn more about the topics in this episode:IFC: The IFC is the private sector arm of the World Bank, and describes itself as ‘the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. Learn more here:Global Food Security Platform: this IFC initiative is tackling the overlapping crises simultaneously including the food crisis, financial resilience and climate change. Learn more here.OCP: The world's largest producer of phosphate-based fertilizers is a Strategic Partner at the World Economic Forum and announced a plan in October to dedicate 4 million tonnes of fertilizers to strengthen food security in Africa. Learn more here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patience Ball and Dr. Ruth Shaber, the authors of The XX Edge: Unlocking Higher Returns and Lower Risk, make a well-researched case that women entrepreneurs and C-suite executives deliver stronger long-term performance that drive higher financial returns and more positive societal outcomes. They both draw on real-world experience. Patience, who raised more than $16 billion for women entrepreneurs as Principal Investment Officer and Global Head of Banking on Women at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is now founder and CEO of the Women of the World Endowment, an investment nonprofit. Ruth, the co-founder and board chair of Rhia Ventures, a group of foundations and investors that collaborate to bring new types of capital and enterprise to the field of reproductive health, was featured in Forbes 2020 Impact 50: Investors Seeking Profit—and Pushing for Change for her contributions to the field of impact investing.

Sufyan Al Issa, Ph.D, is the Head of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in the UAE. We discuss the need for more investment in the MENA region particularly to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SGD) such as climate, education, financial inclusion and more. Sufyan highlights some of the programs and channels that the IFC is creating to support local entrepreneurs and SMEs particularly in cross-border growth. We also discuss the gender gap and why we must act now. For more information visit: www.conversationswithloulou.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sufyan Al Issa, Ph.D, is the Head of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in the UAE. We discuss the need for more investment in the MENA region particularly to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SGD) such as climate, education, financial inclusion and more. Sufyan highlights some of the programs and channels that the IFC is creating to support local entrepreneurs and SMEs particularly in cross-border growth. We also discuss the gender gap and why we must act now.For more information visit: www.conversationswithloulou.com

Join us for a conversation with Walid Labadi, assistant general counsel, Africa, at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), about IFC's investments in North Africa, specifically Egypt and Yemen, in recent years. We delve into wide-scale renewable energy projects, foreign direct investment, the effects of the global pandemic, and the role of IFC and private sector investment in supporting entrepreneurs. We also discuss the differences between the business and legal side of project development and what's ripe for further investment in Africa.

Gouri Mirpuri is passionate about social entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, and environmental sustainability.  She combined these interests to set up the award-winning Learning Farm in Indonesia sixteen years ago, a residential farm working to give vulnerable youth and refugees a second chance in life through organic farming.   Gouri also founded the first ever co-working space for social entrepreneurs in South East Asia, Impact HUB Singapore, and continues to support Social Impact Businesses globally. She is a TEDx and INK speaker, a columnist on environmental issues, and the author of several published books. She worked to create the first-ever alumni network at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington DC. In this episode we touch on:   Saying yes to opportunities & mindset while pivoting Transitioning with kids to a new country Transitioning as an empty nester The importance of finding & nourishing a network   To connect with Gouri further, reach out to her via The Learning Farm.   And, if you're ready to transform your ideas into reality like Gouri, be sure to sign up for my free roundtable on October 5, 2022 9AM-10AM. Simply click here to sign up!  

Vivek Pathak is IFC's Global Head and Director of Climate Business. In this role, he facilitates business growth, provides thought leadership, new product development and facilitates all work related to climate business. He is responsible for identifying new business opportunities for climate business and facilitating the mobilization of capital into this space. Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Pathak was IFC's Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific, leading advisory and investment operations across 18 countries, which in fiscal year 2020 reached US$4.2 billion in long-term investments, including funds mobilized from other investors. He has extensive emerging markets experience in principal investments, restructuring and risk management. Earlier in his career, Mr. Pathak was Global Head and Director for Investment and Credit Risk, responsible for global coverage of credit risk, investment risk, integrity risk, pricing and credit/equity training. Prior to that he oversaw IFC's portfolio in the Middle East and North Africa and led business development in frontier markets in the Middle East and North Africa. Before IFC, Mr. Pathak worked at Bank of America and ABN AMRO Bank in new business and risk management. In this episode we discuss Climate Finance, ESG investing, and how an economic downturn might impact Climate Investments. Hope you enjoy my conversation with Mr. Vivek Pathak!

In conversation with Renée Chenault Fattah In The XX Edge, Patience Marime-Ball and Ruth Shaber envision a new paradigm of gender-focused investing where more women are placed in decision-making roles and able to optimize their skills across all capital markets-leading to higher returns for individual investors and greater economic growth. Patience Marime-Ball is the founder and CEO of Women of the World Endowment, an investment nonprofit focused on centralizing women changemakers as economic, environmental, and social changemakers while delivering market-rate, risk adjusted returns and impact at scale. She has more than two and half decades of investment experience across capital markets – including debt and equity financing, large scale infrastructure, distressed assets, as well as venture stage opportunities. Patience has led many ''firsts'' in the investing space; she developed the Banking on Women platform at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and was responsible for co-designing IFC's multi-billion dollar Global Trade Liquidity Program, as well as the first-ever gender bond issued on the Uridashi market. Ruth Shaber is the founder and president of the Tara Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes and invests in programs aimed at health, well-being, and opportunities for women and girls. She is also the co-founder and board chair of Rhia Ventures, a group of foundations and investors devoted to reproductive health in the United States, and was a gynecologist and obstetrician at Kaiser Permanente for 22 years. Selected as a Forbes 2020 Impact 50: Investors Seeking Profit-and Pushing for Change for her work in impact investing, Shaber, is also the founder of the Women's Health Research Institute. A former longtime co-anchor of the WCAU NBC 10 News, Renée Chenault Fattah also worked at several other stations across the country and as a lawyer at the New York firm of Hughes Hubbard & Reed. She serves on the board of directors of Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity and on the board of trustees of Johns Hopkins University, and in 2020 was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame. (recorded 7/20/2022)

Belonging is knowing that you are a part of the world around you. It's about fitting in, finding your place, and feeling like you belong with the people around you.  But some may have difficulties in identifying a sense of belonging to a certain place, or with certain groups of people, especially after international experiences or careers that may have shaped the way they think, behaves, or addresses any challenges, they are faced. So let's discuss the importance, or lack thereof perhaps, of having to find your place and assuming an identity and belonging. After all, isn't it the goal for us all to create more inclusive communities where one is accepted no matter where they are from, or where they believe they belong? Our Guests Aya Imai Aya is the Associate Investment Officer at International Finance Corporation (IFC). Aya joined IFC's Financial Institutions Group in 2019 after working in management consulting and M&A advisory in the private sector. She is involved in executing new investments and the portfolio management of existing investments in the West and Central Africa region, after spending 2.5 years in Amman, Jordan, with IFC's Middle East and North Africa team. Most recently, her team has been working on equity investments to fintech companies in Africa, small loans to women entrepreneurs, including Syrian refugees, and loans to SMEs that could contribute to climate change mitigation. Aya is an EMFIN'23Feb participant. Stephanie Daudier Stephanie is the founder of The Inspiration Lab, a consultancy working for global companies to strengthen diversity, inclusion and leadership at work. Stephanie started her career as a researcher in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and a teacher in survey theories at Paris University. Stephanie also 25 years at L'Oréal, in the Luxe Division, in marketing, sales and general management and then at 50, I decided to go back to learning and studied NLP at UCSC University of California Santa Cruz, and Organizational psychology at INSEAD with EMC programme.

In our inaugural episode, join hosts Sarah Devine and Rebecca Abou-Chedid for a conversation with Jamie Fergusson, Director of Global Market and Business Development at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to discuss what “upstream” projects mean for IFC, the scale and objectives of this early stage project development work, and what makes it different. They also touch on project development challenges and successes in emerging markets, water supply and climate change, renewable energy and "scaling solar", the importance of partnerships, and more.

Episode Summary  Hosts  Nicholas Gandolfo, Director, Corporate Solutions  Aditi Bhatia, Regional Sales Manager, Corporate Solutions    Your hosts Nick and Aditi showcase recent deals and transactions in the global sustainable debt and loan markets, share interesting reports, and highlight new labeled products and regulatory developments in this space.      Climate Promises Made, but What Do They Mean in Practice?  Reflecting on the outcomes from COP26, Nick and Aditi highlight some of the commitments made during the conference and what they could mean going forward. Many of the delegates, including some of the world's largest polluters, made pledges to target net-zero emissions, curb deforestation, reduce methane emissions, and ‘phase down' coal and fossil fuels. The issue of what developed nations could and should do to support developing nations in building resilience against the impacts of climate change was also a hot topic. Some participants and observers were dissatisfied with the outcomes from COP26, and their disappointment was understandable. Though things may not be progressing as far or as quickly as needed, it is promising to see that these pressing climate issues continue to take center stage.      Bridging the Gender Gap Through Sustainable Finance  Among the recommended reading for this episode, a recent report from the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA), UN Women, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) stands out. Bonds to Bridge the Gap: A Practitioner's Guide to Using Sustainable Debt for Gender Equality, outlines how sustainable finance can help direct capital to reduce the financial and economic inequalities between women and men. The report offers case studies and examples of gender-related activities, targets, and key performance indicators for issuers to consider. In a blog post from last year, Sustainalytics' Ijeoma Madueke also discussed the idea of using gender lens investing and gender bonds to finance the empowerment and socio-economic advancement of women and girls globally. It's clear that gender is a key issue that could, and should, be included in more sustainable finance transactions. Key Moments  00:08 Introduction 00:49 Market news 01:10 Forecast for 2022 01:32 CBI Q3 report 02:55 Post-COP 26 insights 04:30 STBi - Net Zero Target Setting Mechanism 05:04 World Bank report on ways to measure GDP 05:33 ICMA, IFC, UN Women Report - Bonds to Bridge the Gender Gap 06:04 Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) report 07:35 EU/China Common Ground Taxonomy 07:52 IOSCO calling for ESG ratings regulation 08:51 Green bonds overview 14:22 Social bonds and loans overview 15:05 Green loans overview 16:11 SLB overview 20:45 Audience questions 24:25 SLL overview 26:12 Labeled products overview 27:35 Transition bonds overview 29:06 Regulatory update   Links to Select Resources Bloomberg – Modi Urges $1 Trillion to Help India's Transition: COP26 Update Market Screener – SEB's The Green Bond Report: COP26 - a Qualified Success SBTi – The Net-Zero Standard The Age – Hitting Net-Zero Requires a Major Banking Shake-up Bloomberg – Nuclear Energy Generator Splits ESG Buyers With Green Bond Global Capital – EU, China Produce First Common Ground Taxonomy Responsible Investor – IOSCO: ESG Ratings and Data Need Regulatory Oversight to “Increase Trust” Sustainalytics SPOs: Frost CMBS 2021-1 Green Securitized Bond Framework Second-Party Opinion Barclays Capital Real Estate Inc. Social Bond Framework Second Party Opinion KPN Sustainability-Linked Finance Framework Second-Party Opinion Encevo S.A Green Schuldschein Framework Second Party Opinion Empresa Generadora de Electricidad Haina, S.A. Sustainability-Linked Financing Framework Second Party Opinion More episodes

Oulimata Sarr is the Regional Director for UN Women covering 24 countries in West and Central Africa, which is the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women. With over 29 years of work experience, she also embodies expertise in private sector development for emerging markets. Prior to working at the United Nations, Ms. Sarr spent ten years at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and also worked as a Senior Auditor with Ernst & Young in Senegal. Ms. Sarr holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from HEC Montreal and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Bedfordshire.

Nora Bannerman is an accomplished and internationally acclaimed fashion designer and entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience promoting indigenous businesses and successfully managing a number of companies. Nora served on the Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) National Implementation Committee to get Ghana the AGOA VISA that enables the export of over 6,000 Ghanaian products duty and quota free access to the USA market. She is credited with promoting Made-In-Ghana Textiles and Clothing in Europe and the US since the 1980s. Her company, Sleek Garments Export Ltd recently received the Made-In-Ghana Awards for the ‘Outstanding Textile and Garment Company of the Decade' and has been manufacturing PPE for the Ghana Government to support the fight against COVID-19. In 2019, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group named her as one of the Top 20 Global Female Business Leaders. Nora received the Woman of Excellence Award in March 2020 for her ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Social and Economic Development of Ghana'. She has been inducted into the Corporate Ghana Hall of Fame, 2021.

The GW School of Business partners with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Milken Institute to offer a graduate certificate in capital markets to young professionals in the field of finance from all around the world. In this episode, the director of this prestigious certificate program, Dr. Phillipe Delquié, discusses how the certificate combines academic content with real-world experiences.

Kartikeya covers consumer tech investments at Blume. His areas of focus include fintech, proptech, retail tech, and marketplaces. Prior to Blume, he worked with Bridge International Academies, a leading ed-tech startup in Africa.Kartikeya started his career in private equity and venture capital at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) based in their Washington, DC and Mumbai offices. He has MBA from INSEAD.---------------------------------------------Check out our other podcasts!---------------------------------------------Master Dating: http://bit.ly/MasterDatingPodcastThe Afflatus en Español: http://bit.ly/AfflatusEspanolLove Without Borders: https://bit.ly/LWBPodcastMillennial Things: http://bit.ly/MillennialThings------------------------------------The Afflatus on Social Media------------------------------------Twitter: http://bit.ly/TheAfflatusTwitterFacebook: http://bit.ly/TheAfflatusFBInstagram: http://bit.ly/TheAfflatusInsta------------------------------------Connect with Host & Guest------------------------------------Aalok Rathod: https://www.instagram.com/al_rathodKartikeya Shekhar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kartikeya-shekhar-9308a254/------------------------------------Crew------------------------------------Editor: Kartik GuptaProducer: Aalok Rathod

Anjali Garg is the manager of the IFC's Lighting Asia India Program. The IFC Lighting Asia India initiative, through helping portfolio companies scale their operations, has been a key catalyzer of the rural energy access ecosystem in India. Ms. Garg has helped spearhead these efforts and in this interview, we will explore the development of the rural energy market over the past decade, and the work the IFC has engaged in, in this space. I would like to give a special thanks to Ms. Garg, who has been absolutely instrumental in enabling this interview series. In case interested - transcript link here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19ar_PY1uvRqUM9oD-jX5-wAPv7q8C4oL/view?usp=sharing Topics covered in this podcast: [1:47] Ms. Garg introduces her background and what led her into the energy space? [4:14] How has the energy access market developed over the past decade? [7:08] The IFC's consumer awareness - Suryoday - campaign and the team's key learnings [12:51] Breakdown of what a consumer awareness campaign looks like in the rural context [15:48] How does the IFC team approach the expansion process when helping its portfolio companies? What are the first executional steps? [22:15] How did the IFC team facilitate the microfinancing partnerships for Devidayal Solar in Rajasthan? [25:07] Ms. Garg reflects on the most rewarding and fulfilling aspects of her professional journey

Episode 2: Gautum Tambay of Springboard THE PATH: An Entrepreneur's View on When and How to Raise Capital Welcome to The Path, hosted by Gup Ghuiliani, Operating Partner at Telstra Ventures. In this videocast and podcast series, we uncover how successful entrepreneurs navigate the world of venture capital to scale rapidly. For each episode, we invite the founders of successful businesses to share their experiences and insights on what they're going through and the changes they've made going forward. Today, we talk with Gautam Tambay, co-founder and CEO of Springboard, a mentor-led online education platform that provides upskilling and reskilling courses for people looking to learn in-demand skills. Watch the interview on video In this episode we ask Gautam: What motivated you to start Springboard? What challenges did you have in building the company? What metrics do you use to measure early business success? The pandemic has accelerated demand for alternate learning. How does Springboard ensure students stay engaged? Genuinely learn new skills? Get hired? What challenges did you have in deciding whether to take VC capital or not? Where are you on your funding path, and why did you need to raise capital? How did you choose which path to follow? What was your approach to selecting the right investors? You raised your Series B last summer, despite social distancing. How did your approach to raising venture investments change? What advice would you offer young entrepreneurs looking to raise capital for their fast-growing businesses? How did you develop your leadership style as a young entrepreneur? What advice would you offer others? Why You Started Springboard, Early Growth Your Funding Path/Leadership: What's Next? Your goal is to educate 1m people in 10 years. How will you get there? (both internal and external drivers).  How will university partnerships play a role? Building a network of mentors is core to Springboard. Are there other models that you look to in benchmarking this program going forward (consulting, university professors, Backroads travel company, etc.)? How will student placement change? Will you link content and projects to more tailored placement (eg did well in this facet of data science as such marketing attribution would be a great career) Do you have an exit strategy? If so, what is it? If not, why not? Springboard Funding Info Springboard raised $31 million to expand its mentor-guided education platform to more geographies. Springboard, an online education platform that provides upskilling and reskilling training courses to people looking to learn in-demand roles, has raised $31 million in a new financing round as it looks to expand to more geographies. The Series B financing round for the San Francisco-headquartered startup was led by investment firm Telstra Ventures . Vulcan Capital and SJF Ventures, as well as existing investors Costanoa Ventures, Pearson Ventures, Reach Capital, International Finance Corporation (IFC), 500 Startups, Blue Fog Capital, and Learn Capital also participated in the round, said the seven-year-old startup, which has raised more than $50 million to date. https://www.springboard.com/

Alexander (Sasha) Galitsky is a Co-founder and Managing Partner of Almaz Capital, an international venture fund with a major office in Portola Valley, CA, as well as with offices and representative offices in Berlin (Germany), Kyiv (Ukraine), Warsaw (Poland) and other Central and Eastern European countries. Alexander manages team and processes, fundraising, and investor relations. He is actively involved with the fund's portfolio companies, significantly impacting their growth. The fund was backed in 2008 by Cisco Systems, EBRD, and IFC. Almaz Capital focuses on disruptive deep tech companies in the b2b software space, including AI/ML and Blockchain applications, IoT and Edge Computing Enablers, Cybersecurity. The fund's investors include European Investment Fund (EIF), Cisco, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and International Finance Corporation (IFC). Among the most famous deals of Almaz Capital are Yandex (IPO NASDAQ), QIK (sold to Skype), Sensity Systems (sold to Verizon Communications), Acumatica (sold to EQT), and others. Alexander Galitsky is a well-known innovator, entrepreneur, and investor in the USA and Europe. He was the President of the East Europe Tech Tours that took place in Warsaw (Poland), Sofia (Bulgaria), and Bucharest (Romania) in 2018 and 2019. He has been honored numerous times with different awards and nominations by Forbes, Venture Awards, EY, AllStars, etc. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Galitsky served as one of the top Technical Executives at the Soviet Space Agency and Defense Industry. He pioneered Wi-Fi and Virtual Private Network technologies, as well as product development on the global market in partnership with Sun Microsystems. He has over 30 patents for numerous inventions. FIND ALEXANDER ON SOCIAL MEDIA LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram ================================ SUPPORT & CONNECT: Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/denofrich Twitter: https://twitter.com/denofrich Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denofrich YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/denofrich Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/den_of_rich/ Hashtag: #denofrich © Copyright 2022 Den of Rich. All rights reserved.

Jacco Minnaar is the Chair of the Management Board and Managing Director of Triodos Investment Management, a globally active, multi-billion Dollar Impact investor.  Jacco has 25 years of experience in the financial and investment industry. Prior to his current position as Chair, he served Triodos across various positions including Director of Energy and Climate, Fund Manager of Triodos Fair Share Fund, and Regional Manager of Africa and Latin America. Before joining Triodos in 2006, he managed the Financial Markets Development Program of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in the Mekong region. Jacco holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and Management Science and is a CFA charter holder. Jacco explains to us what is Impact Investing and why it is important, how you can differentiate yourself as an Impact Investor. We debunk myths about impact investing and lagging returns by looking at the performance drivers of sustainable investments. We also speak about Triodos' investment process, the areas they invest in, and how they choose their portfolio companies and strategies.