WB24-5

The IFC-WTO joint TA activity provided capacity training for banks and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to promote access to finance for Mozambican importers and exporters. The training is part of the 2021 Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the WTO and the IFC that aims to (1) strengthen trade finance trainings for SMEs engaged in cross-border trade, (2) enhance the compliance capacity of local financial institutions, and (3) promote awareness about trade finance support programs. Key training topics include global and regional perspectives on trade and trade finance, importance of trade finance, availability and use of traditional and advanced trade finance instruments, supply chain finance, working capital management, and trade-based money laundering (TBML).

The training was attended by 55 bankers from 16 banks (of which 16 were women), 7 Corporate representatives (of which one was a woman), and 16 SME owners (of which 7 were women). Beneficiaries were grateful for the knowledge gained and thanked organizers for bringing together SMEs, banks, and Corporates to discuss topics of importance to their businesses and to their economy. In his closing remark, the President of Mozambique Bankers Association encouraged participants to share information with their peers and to act on knowledge gained to facilitate trade.