cgi LEAD - SME Sector Development
Throughout the OIC (Organisation of the Islamic Conference), population growth is creating an unprecedented need for bottom up economic development. The SME sector is the most viable contributor to economic development and stability.
Capitas Group International has developed cgi LEAD, a comprehensive approach to the development of the sector which addresses the major requirements of SMEs in the realm of policy, capital, training/development and business support services.
Debt Capital |
CGI understands that the capital needs of SMEs vary widely depending on their stage of development, sector specialization, and national context. CGI’s practitioners use pioneering approaches while working with financial institutions and governments to create localized SME debt finance programs including:
- Stand alone direct lending platforms
- government backed credit guarantee programs
- dedicated SME-focused bank platforms
Equity Capital |
Working in cooperation with governments, corporations, and investment fund managers CGI develops equity funding programs designed to address the specific issues of SMEs in developing markets including exit options and sector focuses. Representative activities include:
- establishing government or private grant programs
- creating angel investment channels
- structuring venture capital and private equity funds
Policy |
Burdensome legal and regulatory requirements as well as misaligned economic policies often hinder SME development. CGI works with government institutions and legislators to help lower the barriers to SME development and operation while creating an enabling environment for sustained SME growth.
Training & Development |
SMEs and entrepreneurs require ongoing mentorship and training – from startup through stabilization and growth. CGI partners with industry, academia and government institutions to establish SME development programs which enhance entrepreneurs’ core business and technology skills and strengthen the entrepreneurial mindset. CGI creates programs for a variety of stakeholders including:
- multinationals
- private vendors
- governments
- multilateral agencies
- educational institutions
Business Support Services |
CGI works with government ministries and service providers to create business support services for SMEs. Business support services are designed to provide a strong foundation for the creation and survival of new ventures, while increasing the efficiency and productivity of existing businesses.
cgi LEAD team member accomplishments include:
| - | Designing and building the national SME platform for the State of Qatar which will offer a complete set of financing (debt and equity), business services, and training and development programs to support the country’s growing SME sector. |
| - | Launching the first Shari’ah compliant commercial real estate financing company focused on small and medium enterprise (SME) customers in the United States. |
| - | Establishing a USD 250 million preferred equity fund for SMEs in the UAE. | - | Creation of a USD 500 million MENA region Shari’ah compliant equity and debt fund for the SME sector. | - | Setting the SME strategy for, and management of the growth of, the leading SME bank in the UAE. | - | Providing thought leadership on SMEs and entrepreneurship to several international organizations such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Union, the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, UN-APCTT, and the ILO. |
| - | Publishing widely as authorities on SMEs and entrepreneurial development. |
cgi REMA - Real Estate Management & Advisory
cgi LEAD - SME Sector Development
