ADFD Funds AED37 Million MSME Development Project in Colombia
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the UAE’s leading development financing institution driving sustainable development at home and abroad, took part in a virtual ceremony organised by Colombian Presidential Agency of International Cooperation (APC-Colombia), to launch a project to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Colombia. The AED 37 million (US$10 million) programme will be funded from an AED 165 million ($45 million) grant extended by UAE government to Colombia.
The MSME project includes both financial and non-financial support, the latter comprising technical assistance, capacity building, drawing action plans for the individual entities, as well as connecting suppliers, producers and consumers through a common digital platform.
The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Khalifa Al Qubaisi, Deputy Director General of ADFD; His Excellency Jose Manuel, Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism in Colombia; His Excellency Salem Rashid Al Owais, Ambassador of the UAE to Colombia; HE Jaime Amin, Ambassador of Colombia to the UAE; as well as other officials representing the two sides.
The project, which will commence in the second quarter of this year, will target 1,600 MSMEs, helping them to overcome the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic by raising their productivity and export volumes and increasing competitiveness, which will lead to job creation and elevation of the standard of living.
HE Khalifa Al Qubaisi described the project as a new milestone in the strategic relations between ADFD and the Republic of Colombia, as he reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to support the country in driving sustainable economic development through strategic projects.
“Similar to other high-impact projects we have financed in Colombia in the past, this one is expected to significantly contribute to sustainable socioeconomic development in the country, as it will foster innovation in the MSME sector, raise its productivity and improve its access to the global market”.
He added that the sector’s comprehensive development would enable the beneficiary country to attain the objectives of SDGs 8 and 9, which relate to “decent work and economic growth” and “industry, innovation and infrastructure”, respectively, as well as those of many other SDGs, directly and indirectly.
HE Manuel expressed his appreciation for the UAE and ADFD for their proactive role in his country’s socioeconomic development. “This fund will further strengthen our relations with ADFD and the UAE Government. It will go a long way in strengthening the MSME sector, a key element to drive industrial development in our country. We look forward to a successful future of our strategic partnership.”
Abu Dhabi Fund started its development work in Colombia in 2017. Since then, it had allocated AED 165 million to finance projects, including a $10 million programme to build and equip 37 child development centres, benefiting 5,000 children. These actions conformed to Colombia’s sustainable economic development programme.
