PRESS RELEASE: FAST to hold a Financial Fair in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on December 9 2014 For Immediate Release: November 12, 2014 Montreal, Canada, November 12th 2014 - The Finance Alliance for Sustainable Trade (FAST) will hold a Financial Fair in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on December 9, 2014. Financial Fairs are events that bring together financial institutions and local SMEs in series of structured meetings. The aim of the event is to facilitate access to credit for a group of preselected agricultural SMEs with investment projects of interest to national and international financial institutions. The long-term goal is to generate positive impacts in the region such as job creation and greater commitment to sustainable practices by SMEs. For this event FAST, in collaboration with the Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI), has selected and provided technical support for 10 producers or producer cooperatives, aiming to expand and improve their production capacities in the coffee, fruits and vegetables sectors. We are looking to facilitate $3 million in investment in these companies at the Financial Fair, actively working to match the financial needs of identified companies with financial products provided by socially oriented and agriculture-focused lenders. If you are a financial institution already investing or looking to invest in the region and sector, or are a development organization or cooperative working with SMEs that are seeking financing and would be interested in participating in the event, please contact Serena Thomson at [email protected]. With the support of: About FAST Launched in May 2007, FAST is the pioneer in bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, working collectively to bridge the financing gap in the sustainable Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) finance sector. Members include socially oriented and alternative lending institutions, SME producers, development institutions and other stakeholders in the agricultural commodities supply chain. www.fastinternational.org About CBI The Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries is an Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. It was established in 1971 in order to support producers and exporters to get a foothold on the market in the Netherlands, support to Business Support Organizations in improving their capacities and to act as a matchmaker between suppliers and buyers. http://www.cbi.eu/ About FAST Launched in May 2007, FAST is the pioneer in bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, working collectively to bridge the financing gap in the sustainable Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) finance sector. Members include socially oriented and alternative lending institutions, SME producers, development institutions and other stakeholders in the agricultural commodities supply chain. www.fastinternational.org About TAA The Amazon Alternative (TAA) is a public-private partnership with forest and timber companies, NGOs, financial institutions, labor unions, certifying bodies, and governmental institutions, developed within the Dutch Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH). TAA focuses on developing and strengthening the FSC certified timber production and value chain in Brazil, Bolivia and Peru. TAA strives to increase the share of FSC certified timber from the 3 Amazon countries on the local and European markets. TAA implements 4 strategies: 1. Increasing demand for FSC timber on international (Netherlands / Europe) and national markets, for improved market access will stimulate forest managers to adopt FSC certified forest management. 2. Co-financing of direct and indirect certification costs, leading to an extra 2.5 million ha of certified Amazon forest. 3. Efficiency increase leading to improved business cases for the participating companies: in the forest (promotion of LKS) and in timber processing. 4. Stimulating a favorable enabling environment, by lobby on governmental policies and involving of the financial sector. TAA builds on the initiative of other local partners (NGOs, producers organizations, FSC offices, donor agencies, etc.) and where necessary, stimulates the development of new tools, the involvement business service providers. http://theamazonalternative.org/ About FSC The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests. Choosing FSC certified products is an easy way for organizations, businesses and communities to support forest management that meets the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations. www.fsc.org Contact Information: Kimberley Kenney, Communications Finance Alliance for Sustainable Trade e: [email protected] p: 514-759-6626