With the recent membership of three more institutions, namely, Russia’s Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank), the Philippine-based World Trade and Development Institute, and the India SME Technology Services, Ltd (ISTSL), ADFIAP has increased its membership tally to 82 members covering 37 countries and territories.
Vnesheconombank (VEB) based in Moscow is a specialized state-run financial institution well known to the world’s business community and one of the oldest Russian banks. The Bank’s activity is aimed at diversifying the Russian economy, making it more competitive and encouraging investment business.
VEB maintains strong international ties and has acquired a reputation of a first class banking institution. The Bank gained unique experience in servicing intergovernmental agreements and government programs, as well as major projects implemented under intergovernmental agreements. The Bank’s primary goal is to support government structural reforms, above all, in the economic and social fields. The Bank’s short-term and long-term credit ratings are in line with Russia’s sovereign credit rating.
The World Trade and Development Institute (WTDI) is a world-class think tank engaged in research, training, and consulting services dealing with various issues involving international trade and economic development, both on policy framework and operations. The Institute pursues these activities in line with the global Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of the United Nations, and aims to promote international trade and economic integration, and financial cooperation especially in the Asia Pacific region.
In pursuit of its vision, the Institute focuses on three key areas of activities: (1) Research – functions as an eminent “think tank” group by undertaking issue-oriented policy studies; (2) Training – develops and conducts highly selective quality training programs on issues pertaining to international trade, customs management, corporate governance and transparency, project and program finance, banking sector and capital market development, information and communication technology, small and medium enterprise, human resource development and environment protection and (3) Consultancy – provides consulting services to government and private organizations on the various sectors mentioned above.
India SME Technology Services, Ltd. (ISTSL) is a company established by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and few prominent commercial bank in India. It has taken over the functions of erstwhile Technology Bureau for Small Enterprises (TBSE), a joint initiative of SIDBI & UN-APCTT. ISTSL serves as a technology transfer intermediary for the SME sector in India.