On March 10, 2016, CRIF participated at the international seminar focused on ‘Enhancing Access to Finance for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises’ hosted in Amman, at the head office of the Association of Banks in Jordan (ABJ).
Under the patronage of the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ), the Italian embassy in Jordan, the Association of Banks in Jordan (ABJ), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the intense one-day event explored the current financing challenges that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face in Jordan, and enabled participants to share expertise on existing programs and instruments created to support local businesses and SMEs around the world.
The seminar also reviewed the impact of government policies on the Jordan SME sector, discussing ways to address critical aspects and weaknesses, improving policy effectiveness, evaluating available products and schemes.
Among an expert line-up of speakers and leaders, one of the highlights was the session led by Vincenzo Resta, International Markets Senior Director for the Information Solutions division of CRIF Spa, who delved into the role of credit bureaus in the development of SMEs and highlighted the benefits in terms of access to credit, followed by Andrea Goldstein, Managing Director of Nomisma, who presented success stories on the Italian regional production model, drawing attention to SMEs and industrial districts. Three of the sessions were moderated by Ahmad Amoudi, General Manager of CRIF Jordan.
The seminar brought together over 150 representatives from institutions, international agencies, banks, and especially small and medium enterprises to learn more about the most crucial issues facing the sector and hear from key players and experienced practitioners, including the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ), International Finance Corporation (IFC), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Italian Embassy in Jordan, CRIF credit bureau, Nomisma, Servizi Assicurativi del Commercio Estero (SACE), SIMEST, Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO), Jordan Loan Guarantee Corporation (JLGC), commercial banks and microfinance institutions in Jordan, Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Jordan, Frankfurt School, USAID, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), international financial institutions, and representatives of Jordanian SMEs.
