Honduras, April 29, 2010
—IFC, a member of the World Bank Group; CRECERH; EduSystems; and UNITEC have launched “Business Edge,” an innovative and interactive program specifically developed for owners and managers of small and medium enterprises, in Honduras.
Business Edge offers practical solutions to support growth and improve competitiveness of small and medium businesses, providing useful tools that can be applied in daily work. It does so in Honduras through the use of high-quality materials adapted to local market characteristics and needs.
“IFC is very pleased to partner with local well-regarded institutions to strengthen SME performance and productivity, which will help create work opportunities and make the SME contributions to the local economy more sustainable,” said IFC Representative Elvira Van Daele. “IFC’s Business Edge initiative is key in our efforts to support the sustainability of the private sector in Honduras and provides large added value due to its innovative, practical, and interactive methodology.”
Business owners and entrepreneurs had three trial sessions recently, two in Tegucigalpa and one in San Pedro Sula, where they experienced the efficiency and practical focus of the Business Edge program.More than 100 SMEs experienced the added value of the program.
Business Edge will be available to SMEs starting May 2010 and will be offered by three certified partners: CRECERH, EduSystems, and UNITEC. Business Edge focuses on five managerial themes: finance and accountancy, general and operations management, marketing, human resources, and personal productivity skills.
IFC’s strategy in Honduras seeks to promote access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises and assist local companies to become regional and global players. Through its advisory services, IFC aims to improve the overall business climate, promoting the simplification of red tape and creating development opportunities for SMEs.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, creates opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. We foster sustainable economic growth in developing countries by supporting private sector development, mobilizing capital for private enterprise, and providing advisory and risk mitigation services to businesses and governments. Our new investments totaled $14.5 billion in fiscal 2009, helping channel capital into developing countries during the financial crisis. For more information, visit
www.ifc.org
.
