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Mumbai, India, March 11, 2014
—IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has released a study that finds financial institutions meet only 27 percent of the financing demand of women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises in India.
The study titled
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Finance: Improving Access to Finance for Women-owned Businesses in India,
undertaken by IFC in partnership with the government of Japan, estimates that of the total financing demand of $158 billion (Indian rupees 8.68 trillion) for women-owned businesses, formal sources are able to channel only $42 billion (Indian rupees 2.31 trillion). This leaves a significant gap of $116 billion (Indian rupees 6.42 trillion) that financial institutions can meet through products and services tailored for women entrepreneurs.
There are an estimated 3 million women-owned enterprises across industries, representing about 10 percent of all micro, small, and medium enterprises in India and employing over 8 million people. The study notes that there is sound empirical evidence, particularly from developed economies, that women borrowers have stronger repayment history and present greater potential for cross sales compared to male entrepreneurs, making them roughly twice as profitable for banks as a consumer segment.
"Access to financing is an important factor for women-owned businesses to become viable in today’s economic climate. This segment is a significant market opportunity for banks in India, and globally, as women entrepreneurs are proven to be excellent long-term clients for banks," said Jennifer Isern, IFC Manager for Access to Finance Advisory.
The study
recommends that banks can serve more women by lending to the services sector; about 80 percent of women entrepreneurs run businesses focused on services. Historically, banks have funded manufacturing enterprises, and relied heavily on collaterals to give credit, to the disadvantage of women-owned enterprises. Investing in women relationship managers, advisory desks at bank branches, and non-financial services and training will help promote women entrepreneurs holistically.
Women-owned micro, small and medium enterprises are an integral focus of IFC's work in South Asia. In addition to making investments in private sector projects, IFC works with governments to improve investment climate, builds skills of local entrepreneurs, and promotes access to finance and markets for small businesses.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. Working with private enterprises in more than 100 countries, we use our capital, expertise, and influence to help eliminate extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity. In FY13, our investments climbed to an all-time high of nearly $25 billion, leveraging the power of the private sector to create jobs and tackle the world’s most pressing development challenges. For more information, visit
www.ifc.org
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