FAST Background

Small to medium sized enterprise (SME) producers are one of the most important drivers of economic growth and poverty reduction in developing countries. SME producers specifically dedicated to sustainable production practices are growing in numbers and are key drivers behind a global transition to sustainable trade. The continued growth and development of these SME's however, depends upon a currently unmet need for external finance.

Recent growth in markets for "sustainably produced products" has created new opportunities for developing country producers to sell higher priced, value added products and create more stable trading relationships. Entry into such markets however, typically requires additional capital investment - which creates a major roadblock for many producers in developing countries.

With leadership and facilitation from the SCI, FAST evolved out of a recognized opportunity to improve the delivery of finance and financial management tools to producers in the sustainable trade arena through enhanced collaboration and reduced transaction costs. By improving producer access to finance, FAST facilitates producer adoption of sustainable practices and entry into sustainable markets.

Read more about FAST on their official website