WORLD BANK GROUP

IFC

The Profile

In its efforts to strengthen and scale up its operations, Hand in Hand seeks to work with experienced partners that can provide technical and financial support. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is an important partner. IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and provides assistance directly to the private sector in developing and emerging economies. Since the early 1990s, IFC has been instrumental in the rapid growth of microfinance around the world by providing advisory services and direct and indirect investment services. For more information on IFC’s microfinance operations please see www.ifc.org.

The Project

IFC is advising Hand in Hand on its overall strategy and assisting in the strengthening and expansion of its microfinance operations, which are carried out through the Hand in Hand NBFC, Belstar. Belstar works closely with Hand in Hand to achieve Hand in Hand’s development objectives.

The partnership with IFC also helps Hand in Hand draw on support from other organizations connected with the World Bank Group (www.worldbank.org), including CGAP (www.cgap.org,) the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor.