IFC Increases Trade Finance Limits to Support Vietnamese Businesses Amid COVID-19

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has increased trade finance limits for Vietnamese banks as a rapid response initiative to address, in advance, potential trade finance challenges triggered by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19.

The spread of COVID-19 has caused business disruptions in Vietnam since the first case was announced in late January. Apart from a fall in tourism and associated services, the epidemic has affected cross-border trade impacting manufacturing, agribusiness and other sectors.

In response, IFC is supporting Vietnamese businesses by increasing trade limits for four client commercial banks including An Binh Commercial Joint Stock Bank, TienPhong Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Vietnam International Commercial Joint Stock Bank, and Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank. The increased total limit of $294 million will enable these banks to improve their capacity to cover payment risk in granting trade financing to local companies, mostly small and medium enterprises.

“VIB welcomes this timely and meaningful initiative to cope with possible liquidity constraints and de-risking trends during this challenging period,” said Han Ngoc Vu, Chief Executive Officer, Member of the Board of Directors of Vietnam International Commercial Joint Stock Bank (VIB). “IFC’s guarantee will help local banks significantly extend trade finance to more importers and exporters, some of which are credit-constrained and rely on bank trade facilities to manage cash flows and purchase raw inputs.”

This initiative complements the State Bank of Vietnam’s call to financial institutions to support local businesses, which may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak — particularly those in trade and supply chain linkages.

“Leveraging IFC’s global experience in responding to several economic crises in the past, the decision to increase trade limits is an effort to ensure continued trade flows during this challenging phase. The expanded trade finance line will help mitigate trade finance risks, thus softening the impact of COVID-19 on the Vietnamese economy and the private sector,” said Mehmet Mumcuoglu, IFC Financial Institutions Group Manager for East Asia and the Pacific.

“IFC’s initiative, an effective response to help ensure resiliency, shows our confidence in our local partner banks as well as our commitment to strengthen Vietnam’s economy,” said Kyle Kelhofer, IFC Country Manager for Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao PDR.

Following this fast-to-implement and flexible trade finance instrument, IFC is exploring other expanded interventions to extend its support to Vietnam to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 and help the nation sustain robust economic growth.

About IFC
IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities where they are needed most. In fiscal year 2019, we delivered more than $19 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org