The IIC granted a loan to FICEN under its IFEM program. FICEN is a specialized financial institution that serves SMEs, especially in the industrial, trade, and service sectors. It is FICEN policy to make smaller loans and process applications quickly. In 1994 FICEN received a loan and an equity investment from the IIC. The IIC exited its equity holding after ten years, and the loan was subsequently repaid in full. FICEN has begun a new phase of growth and expansion and is seeking to diversify its sources of funding. This support from the IIC will help further these goals.