Project Description
The proposed IFC project entails a risk sharing facility (“RSF”) in partnership with Raiffeisen Bank Aval (“RBA” or the “Bank”) on a portfolio of up to US$60 million equivalent with IFC’s exposure of up to US$30 million. The portfolio will consist of receivables generated by Bayer Ltd. Ukraine (“Bayer Ltd” or the “Company”) on the sale of crop protection products and seeds to existing and new farmer clients. The proposed project is a repeat investment based on the existing facility entered into in 2011 (project no. 30595).
RBA is a universal commercial bank, ranked 7th largest in Ukraine in terms of total assets as of end 2014, and offering a full range of banking services to corporate customers, micro, small and medium enterprises (“MSMEs”) and individuals. The Bank has a network of almost 700 outlets across Ukraine and has extensive presence in agri-finance. Raiffeisen Bank International (“RBI”) is the controlling shareholder with 96.5% ownership. The remaining 3.5% is owned by a large number of minority shareholders. Both RBA and RBI are long-standing IFC partners.
Bayer Ltd is a Ukraine-registered entity fully-owned by Bayer AG. Bayer Ltd is a main input supplier of crop protection products (mainly pesticides, herbicides and fungicides) in Ukraine. The Company works extensively with small and medium-sized farmers. Bayer Ltd operates under the CropScience division of Bayer AG.