PUMA’s Vietnamese suppliers to get access to affordable financing
Vietnamese suppliers of the world’s leading sports brand PUMA will be able to access affordable financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) if they comply with PUMA’s environmental, health, safety and social standards.
The programme will be launched in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Pakistan and Vietnam during the first phase.
The IFC will adopt a financing structure with tiered pricing of short-term working capital, offering lower costs for those suppliers that achieve a high score in PUMA’s supplier rating based on their adherence to the company’s social and environment standards.
The deal advances IFC’s effort to encourage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to enhance environmental and social sustainability while achieving strong financial results, Sergio Pimenta, IFC Director of Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services said.
The IFC provides financing to ready-made garment and footwear suppliers through its Global Trade Supplier Finance (GTSF) programme, which offers working capital to suppliers backed by receivables from international buyers.