Ziraat Bank launched the “Green Export Credit Package” and “Green Investment Credit Package” in order to accelerate the transition of SMEs to low-carbon production and facilitate their access to financing for green investments.
The packages prepared in cooperation with the Credit Guarantee Fund (KGF) and Credit Registry Bureau (KKB) aim to improve the sustainability performance of exporting companies, reduce the energy and resource costs of businesses and increase their competitiveness in international markets.
Financing programs aim to contribute to the environmental transformation process of SMEs in line with Türkiye’s 2053 Net Zero Emission targets.
Up to 50 million TL loan to exporting SMEs
Net exporting SMEs that want to benefit from the Green Export Credit Package must have an active Greendeks score of at least C level on the Greendeks Platform developed by KKB.
Greendeks, which measures the environmental, social and governance performance of businesses, provides companies with the opportunity to see their current situation in the field of sustainability and identify areas that are open to improvement.
Within the scope of the package, the upper limit per company or risk group for loans to be provided with KGF guarantee will be 50 million TL. Loans that will be exempt from Banking and Insurance Transactions Tax will be offered with a grace period of maximum 3 months and a maturity option of up to 24 months.
The financing is intended to support SMEs in making the sustainability investments they need while continuing their export activities.
Up to 120 months maturity for green investments
The Green Investment Loan Package was prepared for SMEs operating in the manufacturing, energy, transportation and storage, construction, tourism, trade and information technologies sectors.
Within the scope of the package, investments focused on renewable energy, energy efficiency and resource efficiency will be financed. The upper limit per company or risk group will be 75 million TL for loans to be provided with KGF guarantee.
The loan will be used to finance investment-related bills. Businesses that will apply will need to have an active Greendeks score of at least C level in this package.
Monthly, quarterly or six-monthly equal installment payment plans can be created for loans. Maturity can be up to 120 months depending on the nature of the investment.
With the financing to be provided, it is aimed for SMEs to reduce their energy expenses, increase efficiency in resource use and accelerate their transition to low-carbon production methods.
Çakar: We turn green transformation into a competitive advantage
Ziraat Bank General Manager Alpaslan Çakar pointed out the role of SMEs in production, employment and exports and stated that the new financing packages will combine the sustainability performance of businesses with financing opportunities.
Çakar said:
“Our SMEs, which carry out a significant portion of our country’s exports, are the cornerstone of production, employment and sustainable growth. With these financing packages that we, as Ziraat Bank, have implemented in cooperation with the Credit Guarantee Fund and Credit Registration Bureau, we combine the sustainability performance of our SMEs with financing and accelerate their green transformation processes.”
Stating that the Greendeks score will help businesses track their developments in the field of sustainability, Çakar noted that they aim to turn green transformation into a competitive advantage for companies in international markets.
Çakar stated that they do not see sustainable finance only as a banking activity and stated that they will continue to develop new financing solutions in different areas of the economy, from agriculture to industry, from exports to energy.
Strong guarantee mechanism from KGF
KGF Chairman Erdoğan Özegen also said that the green economy is one of the most important transformation areas in terms of Türkiye’s production power, export capacity and global competitiveness.
Pointing out the importance of businesses accessing the financing they need on time and under favorable conditions, Özegen said:
“As the Credit Guarantee Fund, we support sustainability-oriented investments with a strong guarantee mechanism with the Green Export and Green Investment Credit Packages that we have implemented in cooperation with Ziraat Bank and Credit Registration Bureau. Thus, we aim to strengthen the production and export capabilities of our SMEs while contributing to their green transformation processes.”
Özegen stated that KGF will continue to develop innovative financing models for the needs of the real sector.
Greendeks score will be the criterion in accessing finance
KKB General Manager Gökhan Şahin said that sustainability is no longer just an environmental responsibility, but has become one of the strategic elements that determine the future competitiveness of businesses.
Stating that they offer companies the opportunity to measure and report their environmental, social and governance performances in line with international standards with the Greendeks Platform, Şahin drew attention to the importance of using the Greendeks score as a criterion in loan packages.
Şahin evaluated, “This approach will prepare our businesses not only for today’s but also for the economic conditions of the future.”
Stating that companies can analyze their current situation and receive suggestions for development areas through Greendeks, Şahin stated that the data-based model will build a sustainability-oriented bridge between the financial sector and the real sector.
The financing model, implemented in cooperation with Ziraat Bank, KGF and KKB, is expected to accelerate the green transformation investments of SMEs as well as contribute to Türkiye’s goals of sustainable development and increasing competitiveness in exports.
