The Chamber of Commerce St. Maarten
Together with the Chamber of Commerce, we work for small and medium-sized enterprises. We leverage each other's networks to reach entrepreneurs.
Our partners
Together we go further
Qredits SXM Partners
The collaboration between Qredits, TEATT, RVO, and SoFin focuses on the Agri Academy initiative. In this partnership:
- SoFin acts as the project manager and is responsible for the creation and coordination of the program.
- RVO (Netherlands Enterprise Agency) has secured the necessary funding for the project.
- The funds were subsequently transferred to TEATT (Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication), which is responsible for the local implementation of the project.
This joint effort aims to support agricultural entrepreneurship and capacity building in Sint Maarten through targeted training and development.
The business sector, organizations, education, and the government
Together, we achieve more! We are building an active network of market players, social organizations, and the government. We collaborate with various financial institutions that are involved as funding partners with Qredits. Qredits is the first organization in Europe to comply with the European Code of Good Conduct for Microfinance Providers.
Collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce
The collaboration between Qredits and the Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce is primarily operational and supportive. This collaboration helps create a more structured and supportive environment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sint Maarten. Here's how it works:
Business Registration Requirement
Before entrepreneurs can receive a microloan from Qredits, their business must be officially registered with the Chamber of Commerce on Sint Maarten, Saba, or St. Eustatius. This applies to various legal entities, such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, foundations, or private limited companies.
Verification and Legitimacy
This requirement ensures that applicants are legitimate business entities, allowing Qredits to assess the feasibility and credibility of loan applications. It also aligns with local regulations and promotes formal entrepreneurship.
Support for entrepreneurs
While the Chamber of Commerce doesn't directly manage the loans, its role in business registration is a crucial step in gaining access to Qredits' financial products. Qredits then offers tailored coaching, business development tools, and loans of up to $50.000 to eligible entrepreneurs.
Collaboration with banks
Qredits works closely with banks in Aruba and Europe. We are a non-profit foundation. Our lending conditions differ from those of banks, allowing more entrepreneurs to qualify for credit to start or grow their businesses.
Funding partners
Qredits provides loans to entrepreneurs from our own balance sheet. This means we are in control and can make our own agreements with entrepreneurs regarding repayments, making us more flexible. We receive funding from various financial institutions.
These are our funding partners:
- EIB (European Investment Bank)
- EIF (European Investment Fund)
- CEB (Council of Europe Development Bank)
International partners
European Microfinance Network (EMN)
Qredits is a member of the European Microfinance Network (EMN), the leading European network organization for microfinance institutions. The EMN represents the interests of its members at the European level. It lobbies for sound European legislation and regulations for a stable microfinance market.
Youth Business International (YBI)
Since 2013, Qredits has been a member of Youth Business International (YBI), a non-profit charity founded in 2000 by Z.K.H. Prince Charles. YBI's goal is to combat youth unemployment among those aged 18-35. This includes promoting entrepreneurship and providing loans, coaching, and training. This objective aligns perfectly with Qredits' vision.
Carribbean Microfinance Alliance (CMFA)
In 2018, Qredits became part of the Caribbean Microfinance Alliance (CMFA). CMFA is a network of microfinance professionals in the Caribbean. Its goal: to stimulate the growth and development of the Caribbean microfinance industry, both regionally and globally.
Need assistance or have questions?
Having trouble or have questions? We're here to help! Whether you need advice on which loan, training, or mentorship best suits your situation, feel free to contact us.