1. Communications Division
Beirut, June 3rd, 2011
IFC and Banque Libano-Française
Partner to Promote Sustainable Energy Finance
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Banque Libano-Française (BLF)
today launched a sustainable energy finance initiative aimed at developing
financial products to help Lebanese companies use resources more efficiently,
enhance the competitiveness of their products and services, improve
profitability, and help protect the environment.
High energy costs and unsustainable practices are, according to IFC's research,
estimated to cost Lebanese businesses more than $400 million annually in lost
profits and have a negative impact on the local environment. To address these
challenges, IFC is partnering with BLF in the first sustainable energy finance
project with a bank in the MENA region, aimed at expanding access to finance
for projects that will save - or promote the efficient use of - energy and other
resources.
Luke Haggarty, Head of IFC Advisory Services in the Middle East and North
Africa, said, “Promoting resource efficiency is a key part of IFC’s strategy in
Lebanon, and this new sustainable energy financing project between BLF and
IFC will help save businesses money while promoting environmental
sustainability.”
Walid Raphaël, General Manager of BLF, added, "In addition to initiating this
partnership with IFC, BLF is at the forefront of sustainable and renewable energy
projects in Lebanon. It has already launched a number of green products and
awareness programs."
Over the coming year, the project will support strategic product development
and provide sustainable energy finance training and tools, allowing BLF to offer
clients energy and resource efficiency opportunities. This will enable BLF to
rapidly scale up sustainability-related lending to meet the energy needs of the
Lebanese market, particularly small and medium businesses looking to increase
their resource efficiency.
This sustainable energy financing project is being launched at the same time by
the Lebanon Green Building Council, with IFC’s support, is unveiling its new ARZ
Green Building Rating System, a tool to encourage commercial building owners
in the country to renovations that will save money and greenhouse gas
emissions.

2. Communications Division
Banque Libano-Francaise is a long-term partner of IFC, was the first bank in the
region to join IFC’s Global Trade Finance Program, and is consistently one of the
most active users of the facility.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development
institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. We create
opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. We do so by
providing financing to help businesses employ more people and supply essential
services, by mobilizing capital from others, and by delivering advisory services to
ensure sustainable development. In a time of global economic uncertainty, our
new investments climbed to a record $18 billion in fiscal 2010.
Stay Connected with IFC
www.facebook.com/IFCwbg
www.twitter.com/IFC_org
www.youtube.com/wbifc
www.ifc.org/SocialMediaIndex
About Banque Libano-Française (BLF)
Banque Libano-Française is a leading universal bank in Lebanon with USD 752
million in consolidated shareholders' equity and more than USD 8.7 billion in total
assets as at December 2010.
During the past years, Banque Libano-Française has diversified its activities and
currently provides services in five core areas: commercial, retail, investment,
private and correspondent banking.
Banque Libano-Française's growing international network includes subsidiaries in
France and Cyprus (Banque SBA), Switzerland (LF Finance Suisse), and Syria
(Bank Al-Sharq), in addition to a Representative Office in the United Arab
Emirates.
Domestically, Banque Libano-Française has gradually been increasing its branch
network, with this now standing at 44 branches across Lebanon.
Stay Connected with BLF
www.eblf.com
www.banque-sba.com
www.bankalsharq.com
www.blftrade.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Banque-Libano-Fran%C3%A7aise/116753708346385

3. Communications Division
Contact :
Tania Rizk
Banque Libano-Française
Communications Director
tania.rizk@eblf.com
Tel. : +961 (1) 791 332 (ext. 1457)
Fax : +961 (1) 791 332 (ext. 1443)
For more info, visit BLF's website: www.eblf.com
Riham Mustafa
IFC contact
Communications Coordinator
rmustafa@ifc.org
Tel: + (202) 555 2121
For more info, visit IFC’s website: www.ifc.org