Cambodian corporation launches US$50mil co-financing guarantee scheme to support SMEs

PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Network): Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) announces the launch of the Co-Financing Guarantee Scheme (CFGS). CFGS is specifically designed for the co-financing loans disbursed under the SMEs Co-Financing Scheme Phase II (SCFS II) of the SME Bank of Cambodia.

CFGS and SCFS II are the joint efforts of the two state-owned enterprises to improve access to finance for SMEs.

While SCFS II aims to lower SMEs’ cost of borrowing, CFGS is a guarantee scheme that will act as ollateral/security for 70 per cent - 80 per cent of the loan amount; thus, reducing the physical collateral required from the borrowers.

CGCC will launch the first tranche of the CFGS amounting to US$50 million to guarantee loans under the SCFS II.

This scheme will support the growth of new loans in the banking sector to enable business owners to borrow from the Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) of CGCC. PFIs will be able to offer higher loan amounts and the risk exposure will be shared with CGCC up to 80 per cent.

The Co-Financing Guarantee Scheme is the second credit guarantee scheme offered by the CGCC. CGCC launched the $200 million Business Recovery Guarantee Scheme (BRGS) in March 2021 to support the economic recovery during the Covid-19 pandemic.

As of Sept 21, CGCC has assisted 85 businesses including SMEs by providing credit guarantees for their loan applications from the PFIs amounting to $12 million.

Ministry of Economy and Finance secretary of state HE Ros Seilava (pic), who is also the chairman of CGCC’s board of directors, said that “the launch of the CFGS by CGCC is timely to provide additional support to the SCFS II of the SME Bank of Cambodia for risk-sharing with the PFIs.

The two facilities will complement each other to address two key issues faced by the SMEs in access to finance – high cost of borrowing and collateral issues."

Cambodian-owned SMEs (>50 per cent ownership) may approach the PFIs of CGCC, contact CGCC at 023 722 123 or [e-mail] or visit www.cgcc.com.kh for more information. CGCC’s PFIs includes ABA Bank, Acleda Bank, AMK MFI, Amret MFI, Asia Pacific Development Bank, BRED Bank, Cambodia Post Bank, CAMMA MFI, Canadia Bank, Chamroeun MFI, Foreign Trade Bank of Cambodia, J Trust Royal Bank, LOLC MFI, Phillip Bank, PPCBank, Prince Bank, RHB Bank, Sathapana Bank, and Wing Bank.

CGCC looks forward to working closely with all stakeholders to support the growth of SMEs with the CFGS.