Standard Chartered and CDC Group ramp up their trade finance programme to help business sectors impacted by COVID-19 across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

Standard Chartered and CDC have taken an innovative approach to funding. The capital will be channelled into some of Africa’s most fragile countries and will address major challenges in the food & agriculture and healthcare sectors as they benefit from preferential terms. This deepening partnership between CDC and Standard Chartered demonstrates the need to channel more trade finance towards vulnerable countries most affected by the impacts of the crisis, as well as support sectors that are critical to serving people’s basic needs.

The new commitment strengthens CDC’s longstanding relationship with Standard Chartered, marking a key milestone in the partnership, and contributes to two of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8).

Admir Imami, Director, Head of Trade & Supply Chain Finance, CDC, said: “We continue to ramp up our trade finance programme as part of CDC’s “Strengthen” pillar response to COVID-19. Our partnership with Standard Chartered Bank will support vital trade and supply chains in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, thereby protecting jobs and economic growth. Our trade finance programme aims to alleviate poverty, and ensure vital goods get to those that need it most across our markets.”

Nicolas Langlois, Global Head, Trade Distribution, Standard Chartered, said: “We are delighted to partner with CDC on this initiative, which will enable us to support business sectors across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia that are impacted by COVID-19, as well as provide them with the much-needed access to trade finance in these challenging times. This is not only testament to our commitment to be Here for good for our clients and the community, but more importantly, to continue to play a role in facilitating trade flows for businesses that are the life-blood of their local economies.”

James Duddridge, FCDO Minister for Economic Development, said: “As we work to support global economic recovery from Covid-19, this additional $100m through the CDC and Standard Chartered partnership will be critical for many businesses in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This investment will help protect jobs, support economic growth and ensure vital goods get to those most in need.”

Standard Chartered has been actively supporting businesses, communities and individuals through the global pandemic. The Bank committed to providing USD1 billion of financing on a not-for-profit basis for companies that provide goods and services to help the fight against COVID-19 in March, and has since completed a number of drawdowns including recent disbursals to a leading plastics manufacturer in Vietnam to accelerate the production of plastic bottles supplied to sanitiser manufacturer, as well as a USD50 million loan to support a global technology, supply chain and manufacturing solutions company in addressing the supply chain issues facing the manufacturers of medical equipment. It also established a USD50 million COVID-19 Global Charitable Fund in April to help the recovery of the communities and markets it operates in. Under the first phase, the Bank has to date donated USD21.9 million to 128 NGOs, charities and other partners across 52 markets. Under phase 2 where USD25 million will go towards supporting economic recovery and protecting livelihoods, it recently announced its commitment to support education, employability and entrepreneurship projects for young people through Futuremakers by Standard Chartered, its global initiative to tackle inequality.

For further information please contact:

Clare Murray
CDC
+44 7887 993 356

Josephine Wong
Standard Chartered
+65 6596 4690

About CDC

1. CDC partners with both international and local banks to boost levels of trade finance to their clients. The company focuses on countries where raising capital is a challenge which stagnates economic prosperity. CDC is playing a key role in closing the trade finance gap in Africa.
2. CDC Group is the UK’s impact investor and development finance institution with over 70 years of experience of successfully supporting the sustainable, long-term growth of businesses in South Asia and Africa.
3. CDC is a leading player in the fight against climate change and a UK champion of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – the global blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for us all.
4. The company has investments in over 1,200 businesses in emerging economies and a total portfolio value of £5.8bn. This year CDC will invest over $1.5bn in companies in Africa and Asia with a focus on fighting climate change, empowering women and creating new jobs and opportunities for millions of people.
5. CDC is funded by the UK government and all proceeds from its investments are reinvested to improve the lives of millions of people in Africa and South Asia.
6. CDC’s expertise makes it the perfect partner for private investors looking to devote capital to making a measurable environmental and social impact in countries most in need of investment.