SDFC Eases Eligibility Criteria for Viyafaari Ehee Loan
A look inside the SME Hub | Photo: MV+
The SME Development Finance Corporation (SDFC) has announced that businesses in operation for over six months will now be eligible for its ‘Viyafaari Ehee’ loan.
The loan product, designed to assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), aims to provide financial support for meeting short-term business needs.
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ވިޔަފާރި އެހީ ލޯނަށް މިހާރު މެދުކެނޑުމެއްނެތި 6 މަސް ދުވަހަށްވުރެ ގިނަ ދުވަހު ވިޔަފާރި ކުރަމުން ގެންދާ ފަރާތްތަކަށް އެދެވޭނެ! pic.twitter.com/UtoxvDqNHr— SME Development Finance Corporation (@SDFC_mv) April 28, 2025
The eligibility criteria have been relaxed, with the minimum operational requirement reduced from one year to six months, in a bid to make the opportunity accessible to a wider range of small businesses. SDFC stated that this change will allow more enterprises to benefit from the loan.
The loan can be used for purchasing goods and addressing operational costs. Applications are open via the SDFC website, with businesses eligible for loans up to USD97,276. However, any loans exceeding USD45,395 will require collateral.
The loan carries an interest rate of 9.5% per annum, with a grace period of up to six months and a repayment term of up to five years.
Established in 2019, SDFC is a government-owned financial institution that supports MSMEs in the Maldives. The corporation is jointly owned by the government, Male’ City Council, Fuvahmulah City Council, and Addu City Council, and plays a key role in fostering competition among financial institutions while enabling businesses to access much-needed financing.
