IFC and Bank CenterCredit Expand Trade Finance for Kazakhstan’s SMEs

The IFC partnership gives Bank CenterCredit additional risk-mitigation tools that can help address some of these barriers.

Kazakhstan's small and medium-sized businesses are set to gain stronger access to international trade finance through a new partnership between IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Bank CenterCredit (BCC). The agreement is designed to make cross-border financing more accessible for companies importing and exporting goods, giving businesses greater confidence when dealing with overseas suppliers, buyers and financial institutions.

Under the partnership, Bank CenterCredit has joined IFC's Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP) as both an issuing and confirming bank, making it IFC's only active partner bank in Kazakhstan under the program. The agreement also renews IFC's relationship with BCC, which has previously worked with the international development institution.

IFC Guarantees Could Open More Doors for Kazakh Businesses

International trade often depends on financial instruments that reduce the risks faced by exporters, importers and their banks. Through IFC-backed guarantees, Bank CenterCredit will be able to issue and confirm instruments such as letters of credit, helping Kazakh companies complete transactions where reliable financial backing is essential.

Access to IFC's international banking network can also help BCC connect businesses in Kazakhstan with financial institutions across other markets. This additional support is particularly important when companies are entering unfamiliar markets, establishing relationships with new suppliers or buyers, or managing transactions where banks may otherwise be cautious about taking on cross-border risk.

Smaller Companies Stand to Gain the Most

SMEs often find trade finance harder to secure than larger corporations because banks may have limited risk capacity or lack the correspondent banking relationships needed to process international transactions. A viable business can therefore struggle to purchase goods from an overseas supplier or fulfil an export order, even when there is clear commercial demand.

The IFC partnership gives Bank CenterCredit additional risk-mitigation tools that can help address some of these barriers. More dependable access to trade finance could allow smaller Kazakh businesses to pursue overseas customers, strengthen supplier relationships and increase their participation in regional and global supply chains without being held back by gaps in traditional financing.

Bank CenterCredit President Ruslan Vladimirov described joining the GTFP as an important milestone for the bank, saying the facility will help expand its trade finance services for corporate and SME clients while supporting Kazakhstan's growing presence in regional and international trade.

Trade Finance Can Support Jobs and Stronger Supply Chains

Businesses with better access to international financing can have greater room to expand operations, enter new markets, maintain supplies and create employment, while more resilient financial connections can help companies respond when global trade conditions become uncertain.

IFC Country Manager for Kazakhstan Zafar Khashimov said internationally backed trade finance instruments can help Kazakh businesses, particularly SMEs, pursue new markets and strengthen supply chains. Greater participation in regional and global commerce can contribute to business growth, employment and broader economic resilience across Kazakhstan.

A Global Program With More Than $141 Billion in Supported Trade

IFC's Global Trade Finance Program has operated since 2005 and provides risk coverage to confirming banks involved in trade transactions across emerging markets. The program has supported more than $141 billion in trade through over 100,000 transactions, illustrating the scale of the international network that Bank CenterCredit is joining.

The GTFP also supports wider development priorities such as job creation and food security, with many participating and beneficiary businesses operating in International Development Association countries. Bringing Bank CenterCredit into the network gives companies in Kazakhstan another route to internationally supported financing at a time when dependable cross-border financial connections can play an important role in helping businesses compete, expand and build stronger links with global markets.