IFC To Aid Haiti Firms With $35 Million Aid Program.

“The International Finance Corporation (IFC) on Tuesday approved $35 million to help companies in Haiti rebuild and create jobs following devastation caused by a January earthquake, which has devastated the economy. The emergency program by the World Bank's private sector lender will finance six companies in manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture and financial services….” [Reuters/Factiva]

Xinhua adds that “…with a focus on creating jobs, IFC aims to help these companies get back to business, preserve their employees' livelihoods, and reestablish critical supplies and services to their communities. Support for each company is capped at $10 million. IFC is also responding through its advisory services program to help companies and government agencies expand Haiti's special economic zones and improve regulations to retain and attract investors….” [Xinhua/Factiva]

BNA writes that “… ‘IFC's emergency program aims to help rebuild Haiti's private sector companies and to support their role in the recovery process by creating or saving thousands of jobs,’ IFC's CEO Lars Thunell said…. This emergency program is a first step in IFC support for Haiti. It will be followed by additional investments for long-term financing in infrastructure and other key sectors….” [Business News Americas/Factiva]