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Washington D.C, June 27, 2025 – Desenvolve SP, a leader in fostering business growth and regional development in São Paulo, has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation. 

"It is with great pleasure that I welcome Desenvolve SP to the SME Finance Forum. As the development finance agency of the Government of the State of São Paulo, your commitment to fostering business growth and regional development through accessible and customized credit solutions is truly inspiring. Your focus on innovation, sustainability, and regional development, along with your efforts to finance companies of all sizes and public infrastructure projects, ensures that entrepreneurs with good projects, including pre-operational companies, can turn their ideas into reality, creating jobs, income, and opportunities throughout São Paulo. We look forward to collaborating with you and learning from your expertise in transforming ideas into impactful realities. Together, we can continue to drive economic development and support entrepreneurs globally," said Qamar Saleem, Head of SME Finance Forum.

Desenvolve SP is the development finance agency of the Government of the State of São Paulo, dedicated to fostering the growth of businesses and municipalities through accessible and customized credit solutions.

"Joining the SME Finance Forum is a strategic opportunity for Desenvolve SP to broaden its network, exchange experiences, and adopt global best practices in SME financing. Our goal is to enhance access to credit, foster regional development, and create meaningful social and economic impact across the State of São Paulo," said Ricardo Brito, CEO of Desenvolve SP

SME Finance Forum: Innovation & Partnership for MSMEs Growth  

The SME Finance Forum, backed by G20 and IFC/World Bank, is the leading global network of 300+ members/affiliates operating in 190 countries. Network comprises of SME focused institutions providing and enabling finance and services- banks, non-banks financial institutions, fintech, payment platforms, development institutions, credit guarantee companies, insurers, investment funds, supply chain linked players, banking and SME associations, policy advocates, regulators, academia, consulting houses, knowledge aggregators.

Our member, affiliates, and associated stakeholders benefit from learning/replicating best practices from across the world, innovating new products for business growth, acquiring risk mitigation tools, establishing partnerships, attracting investors, and being recognized amongst a peer group of global innovators. Our products consist of “members only” solutions (like innovation hubs, solutions clinics, peer group networks, study tours, specialized tools and trainings, member portal repository, partnered initiatives) as well as public good services (200+ publications library, 500+ videos, webinars, newsletters, trainings, annual awards, annual event etc.)

Discover the SME Finance Forum members/affiliates and LinkedIn: 

https://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list

https://smefinanceforum.org/about/partners

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sme-finance-forum-managed-by-ifc/

About Desenvolve SP

Desenvolve SP is the development finance agency of the Government of the State of São Paulo, dedicated to fostering the growth of businesses and municipalities through accessible and customized credit solutions. With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and regional development, the institution provides financing for companies of all sizes and public infrastructure projects — always striving to ensure that entrepreneurs with solid projects don’t miss the opportunity to make them happen due to lack of credit. Linked to the State’s Department of Economic Development, its mission is to turn promising ideas into reality — creating jobs, income, and opportunities throughout São Paulo.

Learn More: 

Website: https://www.desenvolvesp.com.br/en/

Linkedin: Desenvolve SP

Instagram: desenvolvesp

Facebook: Desenvolve SP

YouTube: Desenvolve SP

TikTok: desenvolvesp

Twitter: @Desenvolve_SP