Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (Obviam)

Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets

The Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM) is the Swiss Development Finance Institution (DFI). It provides long-term finance to private equity funds and financial institutions in emerging markets. SIFEM's primary focus is on institutions investing in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. On a selective basis, SIFEM also invests in microfinance. SIFEM's investment philosophy is guided by the belief that investing in commercially viable emerging market SMEs can provide investors risk adjusted returns, as well as generate sustainable, long-term development effects in local communities. SIFEM  is fully owned by the Swiss Confederation and managed by Obviam, a privately owned management advisory group.

SIFEM exclusively focuses on developing and transition economies. It only invests in countries whose GNI per capita is below the World Bank's IBRD graduation threshold (adapted regularly, USD 7,115 per capita as of 2013). The partner countries of the Swiss Development Cooperation are treated with priority. Roll over to the map below to see a list of SIFEM's priority countries per region. At least 60% of SIFEM's investment volume in any year must be allocated to these priority countries. In cases of regional or global funds, the geographical criteria is fulfilled if at least 50% of fund or financial institution investment is made in the priority countries...."

http://www.sifem.ch/