Definitions - Company Types

1. Small and medium sized enterprise (SME).
2. National company.
3. Emerging market MNC.
4. Foreign MNC.
5. Cooperative.
6. Various.

Small and medium sized enterprise (SME)

An independent small business managed by its owner or part-owner. SMEs are usually classified by numbers of employees, total sales and assets. IFC classifies an SME as having up to 300 employees, total assets of up to $15 million, and total annual sales of up to $15 million. This classification is broadly consistent with those used by most other international financial institutions.

National company

A large company (i.e. with more than 300 employees, $15 million in assets and $15 million in sales) which is based, and has production operations, in only one emerging market.

Emerging market MNC

A multinational company (one with production operations in more than one country) headquartered in one of the emerging markets.

Foreign MNC

A multinational company headquartered outside the emerging markets, but which has production operations located in at least one of these countries.

Cooperative

A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise (based on the definition of the National Cooperative Business Association).

Various

Includes companies from more than one of the other categories.