Bogotá D.C., October 6th, 2011 - IFC, a member of the World Bank group, launched on last September, a new report that identifies seven inclusive businesses models seeking to expand access to goods, services and livelihoods for the poorest people in the world, as well as to generate significant financial returns.

Among IFC 's clients in Latin America identified in the report called "Accelerating inclusive business opportunities: business models that make a difference", Promigas is recognized for the structuring of its non-bank financing model, identified with the trademark Brilla, created in 2007 by Promigas and the natural gas distribution companies within its portfolio. Through the bill payment of this service, Brilla offers disadvantaged populations credits for the purchase of products that contribute to improving their quality of life, such as computers, appliances and building materials.

The report was submitted as part of the 2nd Annual IFC Forum of Business Leaders, held on September 22nd before the International Monetary Fund and World Bank group annual meetings. The conclusions are based on an analysis of IFC's portfolio, which found that the more mature investments in companies with inclusive business models show very similar financial gains to those of the IFC portfolio as a whole, having a greater impact on development. The seven models identified in the report are:

• Micro distribution and retail, reaching consumers at the base of the pyramid who tend to make frequent small purchases through retailers and who need small, frequent deliveries and the possibility of buying on credit.

•  Based on the client´s credit experience, making loans to customers that the company knows to be solvent through the analysis of past experiences.

•  Last mile grid utilities, expanding the infrastructure network coverage to more distant an often low income neighborhoods.

•  Small acquisitions, turning small farmers, who are geographically dispersed, into reliable quality supply sources.

•  Value degrees for money, making college education accessible to low-income students.

•  Value housing for money, making homeownership possible for low-income buyers through a combination of high value housing for money and wider availability of mortgage financing.

•  E-transaction platforms, allowing low-income people to pay for goods and services electronically, with lower cost and risk than paying in cash.

Brilla has awarded to this date a total $ 515 billion pesos in loans and has benefited
 558,189 families, 11 cities and 243 small towns, with an average amount close to $1,000,000 pesos. 33% of the population to whom the services were provided corresponds to middle income families and 68% to low income ones.

"The base of the pyramid in Colombia has traditionally had very limited access to credit, which has generated less  progress possibilities due in part to the apparently limited payment guarantees. Brilla´s success is based on mutual trust and the gratitude of the beneficiaries for having taken them into account with this initiative; which is why our customers pay on time, with only 1.2% of the clients paying after 60 days. Our future challenge is to continue improving the quality of life of Colombians” said Antonio Celia Martinez- Aparicio, president of Promigas, during his speech in Washington.

IFC is strengthening its focus on the base of the pyramid, whether in middle-income countries or in the world's poorest countries. Its strategy is to increase the number of businesses with inclusive models that are financially sustainable and perform scale operations in order to provide access to goods, services and livelihoods to billions of people with low incomes.

For the year 2016, and consistent with this World Bank initiative, Promigas, through Brilla expects to have awarded credits for $ 1.4 billion pesos, impacting more than 1.5 million households and creating 500 new jobs, for a total of 2,000 since this continuous program began; thus, improving the quality of life of thousands of Colombian families.