Amret (2017)

Amret was founded as an NGO in 1991 and became a licensed Microfinance Institution (MFI) in 2001. With 300,000 clients across Cambodia, Amret’s mission is to strengthen financial inclusion for lowincome households and to support the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), especially in rural areas. More than 65 per cent of Amret’s loan portfolio are microloans, almost 45 per cent are for agricultural purposes. More than 75 per cent of its clients are women.

Financial inclusion in Cambodia is low, with only 22 per cent of the adult population having a bank account. In addition, MSMEs, which generate much of Cambodia’s economic output and employment, still have difficulty in accessing finance, hindering their competitiveness and capacity to develop. Amret’s large geographical coverage allows outreach to clients in more remote and underserved areas and makes it a driver for broader financial inclusion in Cambodia. In line with its mission, the MFI offers training programs for clients on essential topics such as agriculture, financial literacy, and basic healthcare. SIFEM’s USD 8.4 million loan is part of a syndicated transaction led by FMO.