The National Bank of Samoa (nbs) is developing a suite of new banking products that would benefit women entrepreneurs and improve remittances in Samoa with the support of IFC and the New Zealand Government.

UNRWA Microfinance Department inaugurated its 9th branch in Russiefa reaffirming its commitment and continuous services to Palestine refugees in Jordan.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, alongside the European Union and the Green Climate Fund, has announced a financing initiative for Jordan's microfinance institution, Tamweelcom, under the Green Economy Financing Program.

The investment aims to allocate the loan proceeds towards climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies, focusing on local MSMEs, including women-led enterprises.

The product which was developed by the Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme, will be piloted in Samoa over the next 12 months.

International Finance Corporation will invest up to $4 million equivalent in Samoan Tala to boost access to finance for small and medium enterprises particularly women-led businesses and SMEs focused on agriculture.

The agreement outlines the cooperation between Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development and FINCA Jordan in financing productive initiatives, small businesses, and projects across the Kingdom through soft loans.

The new national digital payment platform, the Samoa Automated Transfer System (SATS), is expected to increase access to the financial system for all Samoans.

Microfinance-supported entrepreneurs have exhibited the same resourcefulness that has characterized many other small businesses during the pandemic. At the same time, they face a variety of ongoing challenges.

These loans are intended to support 9,100 people, 90 percent of whom are women, whose livelihoods have been threatened by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.