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22.16. INDIAN SOLAR LOAN PROGRAMME

In April 2003, the United Nations Environment Programme (“UNEP”) initiated a, three-year Programme, credit facility in Southern India to help rural households finance the purchase of Solar Home Systems.

Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank, along with their eight associate Regional Rural Banks, partnered with UNEP to establish and run a Loan Programme through their branch offices across Karnataka State and part of the neighbouring Kerala State.

In addition to providing financial support in the form of interest rate subsidies for borrowers, UNEP provides assistance with technical issues, vendor qualification and other activities to develop the institutional capacity for this type of finance.