Asia: ADB, Citi Partner on New Risk Product to Help SMEs

Manila, Philippines – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) through its Trade Finance Program (TFP) has signed an agreement with Citi to further support trade across Asia.

With the agreement signed May 4, ADB and Citi intend to collaborate in financing up to US$100 million or more in trade to support importers and exporters in developing markets. Under this new agreement, Citi and the ADB can share risk on a funded basis on underlying trade finance transactions.

Citi has already been working with the ADB since 2009 on its trade finance program to support trade in developing Asia.

"This continuing partnership with Citi hopes to address the funded trade finance needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to stir more growth and jobs that underpin more stable economies in Asia," said Steven Beck, Head of Trade and Supply Chain Finance at ADB. "We are pleased with the renewed agreement with Citibank to address the increasing trade finance gap."

"As one of the world's leading global trade banks, Citi is pleased to support this initiative to help fund trade flows with multinationals as well as SMEs in and out of developing markets," said John Ahearn, Global Trade Head, Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions. "By introducing this new product and continuing our collaboration with ADB, we look forward to furthering our mission of enabling growth and economic progress."

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region.

Backed by ADB's AAA credit rating, TFP provides guarantees and loans to over 200 partner banks to support trade, enabling more companies throughout Asia to engage in import and export activities. Since 2009, ADB's TFP has supported more than 12,000 small and medium-sized businesses across developing Asia—through more than 16,600 transactions valued at over $30 billion—in sectors ranging from commodities and capital goods, to medical supplies and consumer goods. In 2017, TFP supported approximately $4.5 billion in trade through 3,505 transactions.

Citi
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Media Contacts:
Citi: James Griffiths, +852-2868-7668, james.a.griffiths@citi.com
ADB: Erik Churchill, +632- 683-1905, echurchill@adb.org