Even before the COVID-19 crisis, access to finance was the biggest obstacle for doing business in Armenia. Has it increased following the pandemic?

The proceeds of the Sustainability Bond will be used to finance both Social and Green eligible loans. The Social loans will be granted towards microenterprises and SMEs, stimulating the generation of employment in the country.

FINCA Impact Finance, a US-based network of financial institutions, recently carried out several campaigns catering to low-income people through its affiliates in Africa and Asia.

After launching IFC's DigiLab Finance program in the Western Balkans and Georgia late last year, it is now expanding to new markets in Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Ukraine, a move that is expected to promote financial inclusion.

The results of the very comprehensive B Impact Assessment provide an important benchmark for the company and a path to further improve certain areas and take specific actions in the years to come.

This latest move by Mastercard will help 90 plus MFIs and 300,000 small businesses across Europe and Central Asia sail through the COVID-led financial turmoil.

This targeted new investment will help address the critical financing needs of Turkey's underserved micro, small, and medium enterprises in the agricultural sector.

Small farmers will have improved access to finance given a new endeavor that aims to boost capital markets development in Ukraine, enabling refinancing opportunities for creditors in agriculture.

The loan is extended within the Western Balkans SME Competitiveness Support Program with the support by the EU, which is providing incentive payments and technical assistance.