Jorge Vila returns to IBBC as Dolavon GB Ltd (www.dolavon.com), as Member, with a strong focus on finance for Iraqi private sector SMEs.

Jorge has 15 years of experience, from offices in Baghdad, Erbil and Sulimaniyah, financing Iraqi private sector projects that generated employment and economic growth. Throughout this long time, he led a team that disbursed 3 to 5-year loans to 52 SMEs to finance the acquisition of equipment, expansion of warehouses and factories, and working capital, at an average loan of US$ 1,5 million.

As General Manager of the Iraq Middle Market Development Foundation (IMMDF), he originally joined IBBC Trade Missions to Kurdistan in 2013. In 2020, Bell Finance replaced IMMDF to work with IBBC, becoming Dolavon GB Ltd when he returned to the UK, where he lives with his family.

Under Dolavon, he will continue to offer guidance to Iraqi private sector companies on obtaining financing for their projects, to identify creditworthy projects in Iraq that international financial organisations could finance, and to offer development finance seminars at universities in Iraq and the UK.

Jorge will present his view of the opportunities and challenges to obtain financing for SME projects, at the IBBC SME conference, Westminster Hall, on June 7^th.

Jorge says ‘ I am very pleased to be back among IBBC friends and businesses, and know that  Dolavon can support the evolution of Iraqi SMEs and businesses, especially through IBBC’s extensive SME network and access to potential sources of financing’.

Christophe Michels, MD IBBC says ‘We welcome Jorge and Dolavon back to IBBC especially as the Iraqi SME sector requires further finance to expand and fulfil its potential. Jorge understands the needs, the opportunities and the challenges that SMEs face in seeking financing for their projects. His long practical experience should be a very positive contribution to IBBC’s efforts to support the development of the Iraqi private sector.’