Fairtrade Access Fund
Investment fund
Provides working capital to microfinance institutions (MFIs) in over 40 countries
Incofin Investment Management (Incofin IM) manages funds that invest in microfinance institutions (MFIs) in developing countries. MFIs provide financial services, such as credits, savings and insurances, to people who cannot have recourse to regular banks. As a specialist in rural microfinancing, Incofin IM's main goal is to reach out to people who live in more secluded rural areas and/or who are active in the agricultural sector.
From our offices in Belgium, Colombia and India we finance and support organizations in over 40 countries. Incofin IM also explores the possibilities for direct investments in companies situated in these countries and develops new products to suit the development of their needs. After all, we are committed beyond investment.
Incofin IM's biggest asset is our international team. Our experts have a great deal of experience in the area of microfinance and maintain relations with investors worldwide. Thanks to their enthusiastic approach, involvement and personal contact with the organizations in which we invest, Incofin IM succeeds in making a difference. Incofin IM aims at a balanced combination of financial and social results. We attach great importance to the social objective of the organizations which we support. Only those institutions that actually have a positive impact in terms of their clients' and staff's standard of living may qualify for investment.
Summary
The Fairtrade Access Fund provides farmers' cooperatives and associations the long-term loans they need to renew their farms or adopt new technologies and equipment. The Fund was launched in 2012 under the management of Incofin Investment Management by the fund sponsors Incofin cvso, Fairtrade International and Grameen Foundation.
The fund began operations in Latin America and will expand into Africa and Asia in a second phase. It launched with $1.75m committed for seven years by the fund sponsors and is projected to approach $25m (20m euros) by the end of year two. The Fund offers investors a competitive financial target return with the possibility of a yearly dividend. Its open-ended structure gives investors flexibility to redeem their shares. Incofin IM was asked by the sponsors to manage the Fairtrade Access Fund and will take the lead role in the further fundraising for the Fairtrade Access Fund. The Fairtrade Access Fund is a USD denominated fund.
