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Warsaw, Poland, March 21, 2016
—IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is providing Raiffeisen-Leasing Polska S.A. with a $75 million senior loan to boost access to finance for smaller businesses in the country’s less developed regions, supporting growth and promoting shared prosperity.
The project will help address the challenge of boosting investment and private sector activity in the country’s underserved eastern regions, while furthering IFC’s goal to support micro, small, and medium enterprises with affordable long-term financing.
“Poland is a fast-growing economy, but this growth is concentrated mainly in the central and western regions of the country,” said Tomasz Telma, IFC Director for Europe and Central Asia. “With economic turbulence, declining investment activity, and fiscal consolidation, IFC has an important role in supporting projects to fuel growth by creating more opportunities for small companies in less-developed regions, contributing to sustainable economic growth across Poland.”
Raiffeisen-Leasing Polska is part of the Raiffeisen Banking Group, a long-term IFC partner in Central and Eastern Europe, and one of Poland’s leading leasing companies. Its regional reach and focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) make it an ideal partner for this project.
“SMEs are a vital part of the Polish economy. Combining the capacities of Raiffeisen Leasing and IFC, we are building a platform for financing small entrepreneurs in the places where it is most needed. Such an approach will help boost investments and spur growth in SMEs and the economy at large,” said Przemysław Stańczyk, Vice President of Raiffeisen Leasing.
IFC began investing in Poland more than 25 years ago, and has supported many projects in construction materials, hospitality, financial markets, and other sectors. After 2004, when Poland joined the EU, IFC shifted its focus to other developing countries in the region. Today, in line with the World Bank Group Country Partnership Strategy, IFC in Poland
is looking at supporting projects in areas where IFC can have a significant demonstration or catalytic effect, facilitate resource mobilization, co-finance EU-funded projects, and support the growth of Polish companies beyond their domestic market.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, we use our capital, expertise, and influence, to create opportunity where it’s needed most. In FY15, our long-term investments in developing countries rose to nearly $18 billion, helping the private sector play an essential role in the global effort to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit
www.ifc.org
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About Raiffeisen-Leasing Polska S.A.
Raiffeisen-Leasing Poland S.A. is a market leader in innovative solutions for business financing. Since 1998, the company has built a strong reputation in the Polish market, becoming one of the most trusted firms supporting entrepreneurs. For years, Raiffeisen-Leasing has been one of the largest leasing companies in Poland and the undisputed leader in financing with European Union support. Raiffeisen Leasing ranks second in the financing of passenger cars, with annual growth of 25 percent, and is one of the leading entities in financing of other assets, such as heavy transport, machinery, equipment, and real estate. The company also offers financing in IT and medical and office equipment.
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