September 6, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — With too many Filipina entrepreneurs nonetheless going through limitations accessing capital, the Australian authorities, by Australian Growth Investments (ADI), has introduced a P172-million mortgage to ARQ SME Finance, a female-led lender, to bridge finance gaps for small companies within the Philippines.
The mortgage, ADI’s first influence funding within the Philippines, was introduced earlier this week by Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown on the 2X International Summit in Manila.
The 2X International Summit is the main worldwide discussion board on influence funding for higher gender equality, and has introduced collectively over 100 leaders from authorities, finance and the philanthropic sector.
“The Philippines is residence to extraordinary Filipina entrepreneurs – however many face limitations once they search funds to develop their companies,” Innes-Brown stated.
“Australia is proud to companion with ARQ to assist create extra enterprise alternatives for girls and construct financial progress that advantages ladies and men alike,” he added.
The Australian embassy in Manila stated ADI is the Australian authorities’s flagship influence funding fund. Impression funding is a world motion that’s utilizing private and non-private capital to assist scale back poverty and inequality.
The mortgage expands Australia’s present dedication to assist extra Filipinas take part within the workforce or develop their very own companies, by the Investing in Ladies program—an Australian initiative that’s working to carry ladies’s financial equality within the Philippines and the area.
ARQ serves the “lacking center” companies which can be thought-about to be too large for microfinance and too small for banks with the mortgage now increasing the capital out there to Philippine companies which can be dedicated to higher gender equality in management, workforce, provide chains and human sources administration.
“This funding is a catalyst for resilient, inclusive SME progress,” stated Abigail Tan, co-founder and managing companion, ARQ SME BDC.
