SME Finance Forum member The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), an agency of the U.S. government that facilitates investment by U.S.-based firms in developing countries, recently loaned Banco Regional SAECA USD $138 million for on-lending to small and medium-sized enterprises in Paraguay. A portion of the loan proceeds are intended to increase financing options for women-owned and -operated businesses as a part of OPIC’s 2X Women’s Initiative. Through this initiative, OPIC has committed to invest “USD 350 million in projects that will support lending to women-owned businesses, female entrepreneurs, as well as women-owned and women-led emerging market private equity funds.” In partnership with development finance institutions from the Group of 7 (G7) high-income countries, OPIC plans 2X will mobilize USD 3 billion for women’s financial empowerment in developing regions by 2020.