Promoting export-oriented SMEs in Rwanda

The BRD is carrying out a series of measures to promote promising export-oriented SMEs. KfW intends to complement and strengthen the BRD initiative by providing

(i) a refinancing component for credit lines to export-oriented SMEs; and

(ii) a technical assistance facility to assist BRD and selected local partnering financial institutions in building and improving their export related financing tools, systems and operations ("the Project").

The Project targets all commercial banks active in Rwanda interested in serving SMEs with export potential or already active in the export sector with limited access to export-related funding.

The objectives of the services are to support the BRD and the partnering financial institutions in strengthening their institutional capacities and developing tailored product and services for export-oriented SMEs. The consulting services will involve:

• Setting up a pilot phase for the funding component under the Export Growth Facility;
• Implementing the Project at BRD based on the experi-ence made during the pilot phase including a viable exit strategy;
• Assisting BRD and the partnering financial institutions in improving their institution building in particular for export finance including the developing of export finance instruments and relevant internal systems and procedures;
• Assisting BRD and the partnering financial institutions in strengthening the capacity building for export-related financial services delivery.