Description of the organization:

The ESFD is part of the Euro-Med partnership between the European Union and the Government of Lebanon.  The Fund started in 2003, and is linked to the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR).  The ESFD has one aim: to reduce poverty in Lebanon

Description of the financial services:

ESFD provides credit to SMEs through commercial banks.  It allows for an extensive outreach to many small enterprises in most regions of Lebanon. The ESFD addresses the main constraints for small enterprise development in Lebanon, mainly the access to finance for business operations and the support to business development.

 

With more than 200 branches all over Lebanon, ESFD’s partner institutions manage the ESFD loan portfolio.  ESFD loans are provided to clients at the best possible market conditions and minimal loan guarantee requirements.  ESFD loans are in LBP; the maximum loan ceiling is LBP 75 million.

Description of other services:

Business Advisory Services (BDS)
The Business Development Services (BDS) is an ESFD trademark and has over the years proved to be an important catalyst for lending activities.  The BDS officers provide support and develop un-banked business owners in poor areas into bankable clients who would, otherwise, not enjoy the benefits of financial services.  The BDS field officers (FO) assist small enterprise owners in designing business plans, preparing cash flow projections and preparing loan applications, and support the submission of loan applications to ESFD partner banks with the necessary follow up