In addition, the programme was meant to create a demonstration effect that would encourage commercial banks and other sources of capital to lend to or invest in companies that “graduate” from the fund. The MIF was aimed as a complement to commercial financial services and its credit facilities were priced in line with prevailing lending rates in the commercial banking sector, based on market surveys periodically conducted by MATEP. This involved business consultancy to coach entrepreneurs to develop promising business concepts into fully-fledged bankable business plans. A total of 33 loans have been disbursed servicing 17 sub-sectors, including, in the agricultural field, canned horticultural produce, processed beef, horticulture (cucumbers), honey, molasses, groundnuts, organic cotton, paprika, poultry, seed and soy cake.