Project Description
The provision of a 3-year local currency senior loan in the amount of up to US$ 40 million in KZT equivalent to Bank CenterCredit JSC (BCC). The financing will be used for on-lending to eligible private micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Kazakhstan.
Project Objectives
The Project continues to support local currency lending to the MSME sector in Kazakhstan by providing long-term financing to BCC, one of the largest lenders in the country. A special focus will be given to the distribution of funds in regions outside the cities of Nur-Sultan and Almaty.
Transition Impact
ETI score: 60
The project will promote prudent commercial risk-based lending to private MSMEs in Kazakhstan, support BCC's expansion in MSME financing and building healthy portfolio, and improve access to long-term local currency funding for local MSMEs. The project will also focus on regional outreach and attracting new MSME clients.
Client Information
BANK CENTERCREDIT JSC
BCC is the 7th largest bank (out of 22) in Kazakhstan with total assets of US$ 4.8 billion, equity of US$D 340 million, and market shares of 5.5 per cent in total assets, 6.2 per cent in customer loans and 5.2 per cent in deposits as of YE2021. The bank offers a wide range of retail, corporate and MSME products via its distribution network of 19 branches and 127 outlets in 19 cities and rural settlements of Kazakhstan.
EBRD Finance Summary
USD 40,000,000.00
A senior loan of up to US$ 40 million in KZT equivalent.
Total Project Cost
USD 40,000,000.00
US$ 40 million in KZT equivalent.
Additionality
Combination of investments with technical assistance; medium-term tenor of the facility, otherwise not available in the market.
Environmental and Social Summary
Categorised FI. BCC will be required to comply with PRs 2, 4 and 9 and adopt and implement the EBRD's E&S Risk Management Procedures for MSME loans and submit annual environmental and social reports to the EBRD.
Technical Cooperation and Grant Financing
The bank will continue to benefit from Technical Cooperation under the Regional Small Business Programme for Central Asia through participation in centralised training workshops and e-learning courses. Initial funding for the TC programme is provided under the SME Finance Facility for Central Asia supported by the EU Investment Facility for Central Asia.
Company Contact Information
Zaure Salimbayeva
fi@bcc.kz
+7 (727) 259 85 46
www.bcc.kz
38 Al-Farabi Avenue, Almaty, 050059, Kazakhstan
PSD last updated
13 May 2022
Understanding Transition
Further information regarding the EBRD’s approach to measuring transition impact is available here.
Business opportunities
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Environmental and Social Policy (ESP)
The ESP and the associated Performance Requirements (PRs) set out the ways in which the EBRD implements its commitment to promoting “environmentally sound and sustainable development”. The ESP and the PRs include specific provisions for clients to comply with the applicable requirements of national laws on public information and consultation as well as to establish a grievance mechanism to receive and facilitate resolution of stakeholders’ concerns and grievances, in particular, about environmental and social performance of the client and the project. Proportionate to the nature and scale of a project’s environmental and social risks and impacts, the EBRD additionally requires its clients to disclose information, as appropriate, about the risks and impacts arising from projects or to undertake meaningful consultation with stakeholders and consider and respond to their feedback.
More information on the EBRD’s practices in this regard is set out in the ESP.
Integrity and Compliance
The EBRD's Office of the Chief Compliance Officer (OCCO) promotes good governance and ensures that the highest standards of integrity are applied to all activities of the Bank in accordance with international best practice. Integrity due diligence is conducted on all Bank clients to ensure that projects do not present unacceptable integrity or reputational risks to the Bank. The Bank believes that identifying and resolving issues at the project assessment approval stages is the most effective means of ensuring the integrity of Bank transactions. OCCO plays a key role in these protective efforts, and also helps to monitor integrity risks in projects post-investment.
OCCO is also responsible for investigating allegations of fraud, corruption and misconduct in EBRD-financed projects. Anyone, both within or outside the Bank, who suspects fraud or corruption should submit a written report to the Chief Compliance Officer by email to compliance@ebrd.com. All matters reported will be handled by OCCO for follow-up. All reports, including anonymous ones, will be reviewed. Reports can be made in any language of the Bank or of the Bank's countries of operation. The information provided must be made in good faith.
Access to Information Policy (AIP)
The AIP sets out how the EBRD discloses information and consults with its stakeholders so as to promote better awareness and understanding of its strategies, policies and operations following its entry into force on 1 January 2020. Please visit the Access to Information Policy page to find out what information is available from the EBRD website.
Specific requests for information can be made using the EBRD Enquiries form.
Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM)
If efforts to address environmental, social or public disclosure concerns with the Client or the Bank are unsuccessful (e.g. through the Client’s Project-level grievance mechanism or through direct engagement with Bank management), individuals and organisations may seek to address their concerns through the EBRD’s Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM).
IPAM independently reviews Project issues that are believed to have caused (or to be likely to cause) harm. The purpose of the Mechanism is: to support dialogue between Project stakeholders to resolve environmental, social and public disclosure issues; to determine whether the Bank has complied with its Environmental and Social Policy or Project-specific provisions of its Access to Information Policy; and where applicable, to address any existing non-compliance with these policies, while preventing future non-compliance by the Bank.
Please visit the Independent Project Accountability Mechanism webpage to find out more about IPAM and its mandate; how to submit a Request for review; or contact IPAM via email ipam@ebrd.com to get guidance and more information on IPAM and how to submit a request.
