DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH committed a new record level of EUR 1.9 billion for financing private investments in developing and emerging markets countries (2017: EUR 1.6 billion). DEG's commitments in 2018 enable entrepreneurial investments totalling EUR 9.8 billion to be made. The DEG portfolio grew to EUR 8.4 billion.
Financing for small and medium-sized enterprises, at EUR 967 million, was once again a focus in 2018. In this way, DEG helped to improve the inadequate supply of long-term financing for SMEs in many developing countries. German companies are also an important customer group. Overall new business stood at EUR 456 million, at the same high level as the previous year (EUR 465 million). In addition to loans and equity investments for German companies, this figure also includes financing for local companies acquiring German components, for example. In addition, funds were mobilised through third parties, such as German institutional investors.
DEG has further expanded its service for German companies and their local trading partners, the "German Desk – Financial Support and Solutions", which was initiated in 2017 with local partner banks and chambers of commerce abroad. In 2018 it opened a German Desk in Bangladesh, followed by one in Ghana on 11 February 2019. "The response has been encouraging at all locations. Around 60 financing arrangements have been realised so far," said Laibach.
DEG provided a total of EUR 641 million in 2018 for investments that promote climate and environmental protection. This included financing the largest solar park in the Caribbean, built with German expertise. From a regional viewpoint, Latin America accounted for the largest share of financing in 2018, at EUR 579 million. In terms of sectors, the financial sector and infrastructure were again in the lead.
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