As a leading impact investor, FMO supports sustainable private sector growth in developing countries and emerging markets by investing in ambitious projects and entrepreneurs. FMO believes that a strong private sector leads to economic and social development and has a 50+ year proven track-record of empowering people to employ their skills and improve their quality of life. Each month we give an overview of the transactions we have signed.
York Timbers Proprietary Limited ("York Timbers") is a wholly owned subsidiary of York Timber Holdings Limited, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. York Timbers is the largest solid wood, lumber and plywood producer in South Africa. As an integrated forestry company, York Timbers manages approximately 60,000 hectares of FSC-certified high-quality pine plantations and around 30,000 hectares of conservation area, and operates two sawmills and one plywood mill. York has also recently diversified into agriculture and crops (i.e. avocado, macadamia, and soft citrus). The investment aims to fund plantation acquisition and capital expenditure for sawmill operations. York Timbers is an integrated forestry company owning and managing pine plantations and operating efficient wood processing plants. This is a strong fit with FMO’s Forestry Strategy. The top-up of FMO’s existing facility will further support York Timbers in reducing its dependency on third-party wood supply, improving cost competitiveness, and upgrading mill processing equipment to lower production costs. FMO's additionality is evident by establishing enduring partnerships with York Timbers for the long term.
Vietnam Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MSB) and the Dutch Development Bank (FMO) on behalf of the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD), signed facility agreements to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and climate-relevant businesses.The collaboration between MSB and FMO/DFCD is set to provide MSB with a substantial loan of up to 80 million USD, with a tenor of up to 9 years. This funding will be directed towards financing SMEs, micro SMEs, and women-led SMEs in rural, sustainable, climate-smart, and agricultural sectors. Additionally, MSB may receive support from SNV, one of the co-managers of the DFCD, through the DFCD’s Origination Facility.
