BO-L1115 : Companex Bolivia S.A.

The project objective is to help improve the commercial conditions and the operational/commercial capabilities of small mom-and-pop grocery stores in peri-urban areas of Bolivia (La Paz and El Alto) that are part of (served) Companex¿s client value chain. The proposed financing (US$ 7.0MM) to Companex will be used for working capital financing, so as to extend the terms of sale for the small stores owners they serve, and to allow Companex to expand its sales force and permit them to provide additional technical assistance to these small stores they work with. This is expected to increase the small stores sales and productivity, as well as the variety and quality of the products they offer to low-income consumers in the areas they serve. Through the project, Companex Bolivia, one of the leading distributors of basic goods in the country, will promote the transformation of these small neighborhood stores from basic survival business units, to successful business enterprises for their owners. It also should be noted that these small groceries stores are mostly owned by low-income women, so it is expected that increased revenues would have an even bigger impact for their families wellbeing.