TSOB Equity Investment

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EBRD equity investment in joint-stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Economic Activity Tajikvnesheconombank (TVEB), a Tajik private bank, with its headquarters located in Dushanbe. The investment will be supported by an Institutional Development Programme (IDP) funded by technical co-operation (TC) funds. The proceeds of the EBRD investment will be used by TVEB to strengthen its capital base and to increase its funding base in support of anticipated growth in lending to small and medium-sized enterprises. The project will also aim to institutionally strengthen the bank via a tailored IDP funded by technical cooperation. A redemption option has been negotiated, which may be exercised by the EBRD upon the occurrence of specific trigger events, including government intervention in the activities of TVEB. The project is expected to have a significant impact on the transition process. The EBRD will play a key role in the development of TVEB, the Tajik financial sector and the real economy. Formerly the country's foreign trade bank, TVEB is estimated to be the fourth-largest Tajik bank by total assets and the second-largest private bank in the country. Potential co-equity investors in TVEB are the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), which would play a lead/strategic investor role in the bank, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Their investments in TVEB are subject to satisfactory due diligence and successful negotiations with TVEB. Up to US$ 500,000 (EUR 489,400) equity investment by the EBRD with potential mobilisation of co-investments by AKFED and the IFC totalling approximately US$ 1.36 million (EUR 1.33 million). Total potential capital increase (from the EBRD, AKFED and the IFC) of US$ 1.86 million (EUR 1.82 million). TVEB will carry out its operations in accordance with the EBRD's Environmental Procedures for Intermediated Lending through Local Banks. In implementing these procedures, TVEB will require its borrowers to comply, at a minimum, with national/local health, safety, environmental and public consultation requirements. Technical cooperation funding of EUR 555,000 for the IDP.