At CAINTRA we are aware that SMEs are the most affected by the suspension of activities to contain the pandemic. to contain the pandemic. The latest employment data show that around 55% of the jobs have been lost in this segment of the jobs have been lost in this business segment. Unfortunately, support for SMEs has been scarce. However, at the Chamber we have gone from calling on the authorities to taking concrete actions to benefit this sector. actions for the benefit of this sector.

As we announced last month, CAINTRA began a series of support programs by granting direct loans of 30,000 pesos to companies with up to 10 workers. 30 thousand pesos to companies with up to 10 workers. Currently, around 150 companies have received this support from CAINTRA. have received this support from CAINTRA, and in addition to the economic resources, we will be advising and strengthening their value chain by means of an strengthening their value chain by linking them with large companies in the region. This program is still ongoing and we are confident that the microenterprises that have benefited will emerge stronger from this pandemic.

In addition, in order to support small and medium-sized companies, we have established an alliance with NAFIN to provide resources to these companies that need them in the midst of the economic recovery. to provide resources to these companies that require them in the midst of the economic reactivation. For this reason, CAINTRA has CAINTRA has decided to contribute 20 million pesos from its equity fund to be used as guarantees and to boost credit to SMEs. to boost lending to SMEs. Under NAFIN's scheme, this amount becomes a portfolio of 228 million pesos available to companies. 228 million pesos available to companies.

This effort is unique in Mexico on the part of a business chamber, and the loans granted have better-than-market conditions. better than those of the market. I can mention that the credit conditions are as follows:

- The amount available is up to 1 million pesos or its equivalent in U.S. dollars and is intended for working capital or investment to improve productive capacity. capital or investment to improve productive capacity. - The term is 36 months with a grace period of 9 months for the payment of principal. - The interest rate is 13.9% per annum.

This effort is exclusively for CAINTRA member companies that have been affiliated for 5 years or more. Under these requirements, we estimate that around 1,300 companies meet these requirements and can be benefited. benefit. In fact, through a survey conducted among the Chamber's members to determine their interest in credit, it was found that the average amount of interest in credit, it was found that the average amount requested by companies is 1 million pesos, and the total demand for credit would be more than 271 million pesos. demand for credit would be more than 271 million pesos.

Companies interested in this loan should contact CAINTRA, share their information with us and fill out an application form. application form. Subsequently, the Chamber will channel them to one of the 7 commercial banks that will be in charge of evaluate their application and grant the loan.

This program has started this week and we at the Chamber are very excited to support SMEs that require flow for reactivation. that require flow for reactivation. We know that more resources are required, so we call on other Chambers and authorities to join us in this effort. other Chambers and authorities to join this effort.

We would also like to thank NAFIN for trusting CAINTRA to promote its guarantee programs for the benefit of the sector. benefit the sector. We are sure that this is the beginning of a very good collaboration between the agency and the industrial sector. industrial sector.

CAINTRA NUEVO LEÓN