WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5 -- The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has approved a US$2 million loan for Bona Sp. z o.o., a Polish dairy company. Bona Sp. z o.o. will set up a plant to make 14 million liters of stirred natural yogurt annually for the domestic market. The yogurt will be comparable to the highest quality imports. The product will be the first national brand supported by systematic marketing and advertising, and the company will use attractive product packaging and refrigerated distribution systems. "IFC sees the dairy sub-sector as a priority area for assistance," said Yutaka Suzuki, the IFC investment officer in charge of the project. "In addition IFC is playing a catalytic role in mobilizing other long-term financing for the project." Bona Sp. z o.o., a joint venture formed in 1992, is owned by Polish Dairy Associates, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands by US investors; Osowa Sien P.O.H.Z., a large state dairy farm; and an individual Polish investor. IFC, a member of the
World Bank Group, is the largest multilateral institution providing financing for private sector projects in developing countries. (30)
