The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) established the Regional Small Business Programme (RSBP) for Central Asia in mid-2017 and tasked IPC to manage RSBP implementation. Specifically, IPC was asked to expand and institutionalise the transfer of MSME finance know-how by establishing a knowledge sharing and exchange platform (KSEP) for Central Asia.

Following the successful inception of the RSBP for Central Asia, EBRD expanded the RSBP’s target region to include Mongolia, launching an additional technical co-operation programme focused on Mongolia.

The RBSP for Mongolia has been a resource for training and knowledge sharing in the Mongolian language for local banks, non-bank microfinance institutions and other MSME finance players. The programme includes adapting the KSEP utilised in Central Asia to the Mongolian context, thus offering online training, access to publications and information exchange, and participation in regular centralised classroom training to Mongolian MSME finance providers.

Additionally, at the request of EBRD, IPC will conduct diagnostic checks of Mongolian MSME-focused financial institutions through on-site visits, portfolio reviews and discussions with senior management. The overall goal of the RSBP for Mongolia is to stimulate growth and improve the quality of MSME lending in the country