1. Credit Guarantee Schemes
in Sri Lanka

2. Sri Lanka has a well developed competitive
insurance industry
Major players in the industry do not supply
Credit Guarantee Products
CBSL implemented credit guarantee scheme
to provide credit guarantee mainly for the
agricultural and SME sector

3. Objective of Credit Guarantee Schemes (CGS)
CGS are set up with the purpose of covering some portion of losses incurred when borrowers default on loans. The purpose of such schemes is to encourage financial institutions to lend to small businesses with viable projects of success but are unable to provide adequate collateral or do not have suitable records of financial transactions to prove that they are creditworthy.

4. Legal Background
In terms of Section 108(1) of the MLA of 1949, the CBSL acts as the government agent in guaranteeing the loans granted by Participating Credit Institutions (PCIs) under special development programs.
An amendment to MLA in 1974 facilitated CBSL to operate guarantee schemes on its own on account of loans granted to small enterprises and agricultural activities.
Accordingly, CGS implemented by the CBSL are categorized as GOSL guaranteed projects and CBSL guaranteed projects.

5. CBSL’s Involvement
CBSL has been playing a key role in facilitating micro-finance since 1960s.
The number of projects that the CBSL involved exceeds 100. However only about 10% of those projects were given credit guarantees.

6. CGS Implemented by the CBSL
Scheme
Current Position
Small & Medium Scale Industries Programme (SMJ) I, II, III and IV
Concluded, Post claim monitoring
Small and Medium Enterprises Assistant Project (SMAP)
Bus Purchase Loan Scheme (BPL)
Mid Country Perennial Crops Development Project (MCPCDP)
Concluded. Most of the loan rescheduled recently.

7. CGS Implemented by the GOSL
Scheme
Current Position
New Comprehensive Rural Credit Scheme (NCRCS)
In Progress
Tea Development Project (TDP)
Second Perennial Crops Development Project (SPCDP)
Apparel Sector Credit Guarantee Scheme
Guarantees to be issued. Temporarily suspended until funds are received from the Government.

8. CGS Implemented by the CBSL
Scheme
Current Position
Small Holder Tea Development Project (SHTDP)
In Progress
Plantation Sector Reform Project (PSRP)
Agricultural Rehabilitation Project (ARP)
Concluded, Post claim monitoring
Susahana Credit Scheme
C G Scheme for Jem & Jewellery Sector
To be issued

9. Operation of the System
Implementation of a CG scheme is more or less similar to that of any insurance scheme.
In CG schemes, PCIs are responsible to undertake certain activities such as:
Prepare proper appraisal of projects.
Take sufficient securities.
Observe normal care & prudence in distributing the loans.
Pay premia timely.
Follow the Operating Instructions issued by the CBSL.

10. CBSL Liability
The liability of the CBSL on loans depends on the defaulted amount of loans, extent of guarantee cover and ceiling of guarantee payments. The extent of guarantee cover varies between 50%- 90% and the ceiling of guarantee payment varies between 1.6 mn and 2.0 mn.

11. Validity of Guarantee Validity of guarantee ceases in the event of:
Premium not being paid within a stipulated period.
Confirmation of assignment of collateral being not received within a stipulated period.
PCIs failed to observe normal care & prudence and/or having been negligent in the disbursement/monitoring of the loan.

12. Claim Payment Procedures
Claim payment can be requested after expiry of one month, but not later than six months, from the date of serving of the Notice of Demand.
The first installment, varies between 50% - 70% of the claim payable, is paid upon serving the Demand Notice.
The balance is considered when the PCI produces evidence of instituting legal action(producing the case number).

13. Post-claim Recoveries
PCIs should pursue recovery action after the receipt of the claim settlement and should share, any such recovery, between the CBSL & the PCI as stipulated in the Operating Instructions.
If the PCI fails to institute such action within the period specified by the CBSL, the CBSL reserves the right to recover the sum paid in settlement of a claim, by debiting the account of the PCI at CBSL.

14. Sources of Funds a) CBSL or GOSL Contribution
This provides the initial capital for CGSs.
b) Premia Collection
PCIs are obliged to pay a premium determined under each project to receive CG cover. Annual premium value varies between 0.5% to 1.5% of total outstanding value of the loan.
c) Investment Income on a) and b)
Initial capital received & premia collected are invested in government treasury bills in order to augment the resources available.

15. Global Economic Crisis
Global financial crisis spurred from the collapse of the US Sub prime Mortgage Market in 2007.
Then crisis was soon followed by the current global economic crisis.
The emerging economics that showed accelerated economic development have been affected by the global economic crisis.
Global Economic Crisis
Global financial crisis spurred from the collapse of the US Sub prime Mortgage Market in 2007.
Then crisis was soon followed by the current global economic crisis.
The emerging economics that showed accelerated economic development have been affected by the global economic crisis.

16. In the case of Sri Lanka Capital account has not been fully liberated.
Many local banks did not trade in complex financial instrument.
Direct impact of the financial crisis on the country’s financial sector was minimal.
The effects of the turmoil are being felt strongly by the country specially real sector of the economy. However

17. Sri Lankan economy demonstrated its reliance
Sri Lankan economy recorded a real growth
of 6% in 2008.
This is the fourth consecutive year in which
the economy recorded a growth of 6% or above.
Sri Lankan economy demonstrated
its resilience
Sri Lankan economy recorded a real growth
of 6% in 2008.
GDP for 2008 was projected to grow by 6.5 – 7.0% at the beginning of the year. During the first quarters, GDP grew by 6.5%. However, GDP grew only by 4.3% during the 4th Quarter. Further in st quarter grew by 1.5%.

19. Many foreign investors repatriate their short-
Many foreign investors repatriate their short- term investment back to their countries (increased out flow of foreign exchange).
Declined inflow due to lower demand for exports such as tea,rubber,cinnamon, apparel products, diamond, jem and jewellery, etc.
Many exporters operate with comparatively low profit.

20. The Tea industry was affected due to the reduction of the tea prices.
- Most of Sri Lankan tea markets were initially affected by the economic recession.

21. - Byers returned to the market in mid December 2008.
- Market was active in the first half of the 2009.
- Last year earned 1.2 billion Dollars which was significant and clear sings that tea was moving forward.
Byers returned to the market in mid December 2008.
Market was active in the first half of the 2009.
Last year earned 1.2 billion Dollars which was significant and clear sings that tea was moving forward.

22. Rubber and cinnamon also declining.
Other industries such as rubber based products, diamond and jewellery, ect. were also affected by the crisis.
Tourism industry was badly affected.

23. It is observed that Borrowers will find it. difficult
It is observed that Borrowers will find it difficult to repay their loans.
There will be a tendency for increased credit guarantee claim applications.

24. Positive Trends in the Sri Lankan Economy
The inflation rate has been dropped.
Prices of food items are unlikely to indicate a trend increase. The agriculture sector is expected to reflect a high growth rate in
With the dawn of peace greater opportunities for the expansion of development and economic activities in the North.

25. Measures to boost economy
Actions have been taken by CBSL for reducing interest rate to about 3 percent.
Subsequent to the rate reduction, the lending rates for priority sectors such as …………………………………had been reduced up to 2 per cent.
Suspension of the penalty interest rates for delayed debt repayment.
Temporary suspension of legal action against those who are no repay debt after July 2008.

26. One month’s working capital provided to tea factories.
The recovery of loans extended to tea factory owners has been suspended for a period of one year.
Reducing the interest rate, extending the repayment period, for rubber factories.

27. New bilateral agreements between Sri Lanka
New bilateral agreements between Sri Lanka and Russia and Iran are for tea and China and India in relation to rubber.
Some incentives have been introduced for the special refinance loan scheme to assist the small and medium enterprises (SME) affected by Tsunami.