As a part of the “SME Development Loan” facility which has been structured and approved by the Board of Directors at the 14^th Board Meeting, held on 25 September 2008, the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Trade and Development Bank signed loan agreement with Türkiye Halk Bankası A.Ş. on February 11, 2009 for an amount of US $ 15 million.

SME Development Loan with a maturity period of up to 4 years with one year grace has been structured to provide necessary support to the SME sector, which are playing a major role towards economic growth by creating employment opportunities, alleviation of poverty and development of trade in the region.

Türkiye Halk Bankası A.Ş. became the second local financial institution in Turkey which signed such agreement with the ECO Trade and Development Bank, following Ziraat Finansal Kirlama A.Ş.