Filipino workers in Qatar can apply for business loans up to Php 5 million

Business Loan for Overseas Filipino Workers in Qatar

Are you an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) living in Qatar? Good news! You can now avail of the Reintegration Program, which enables you to loan up to Php 5 million (approximately QR325,000 as per today's rate).

According to the financial literacy webinar hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Qatar and the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank), the loan programme is for OFWs who wish to start up or expand their business in the Philippines. It is a partnership of LANDBANK, a government-owned bank in the Philippines and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

The loanable amount depends on the project needs or the capacity of the borrower to pay the loan. “The minimum amount is Php100,000; while the maximum amount is Php2m for single proprietorship, and Php5m for partnership, corporation, cooperative,” said Gerald Heriales, OFBank Overseas Representative Officer in Middle East Region.

How Does it Work?

• An OFW can loan 80% of the total project cost, while the borrower should shoulder the remaining 20%.

• Meanwhile, the eligible loan purposes are working capital, and fixed asset acquisition, while the interest rate is fixed at 7.5% per annum for both short-term and term loans.

• Short-term loans are to be paid in one year, while term loans’ payments are based on cash flow but must not exceed 7 years.

• If the borrower fails to pay the loan, a penalty rate of 24% per annum applies.

What Types of Business?

Among the type of business an OFW can apply for the loan include any viable projects that generate cash flow sufficient to pay amortisations; with debt service cover of at least belonging to the following fields:

• Franchising

• Agri and non-Agri production/manufacturing

• Construction/rental

• Service/trading

• Transportation, has contract tie-up with top 1,000 corporations

• Any business unrelated to gambling

How to be Eligible for the Program?

• An OFW should be an active or inactive certified OWWA member who is currently employed overseas or who applied under the programme not later than three years from their return to the Philippines, except in cases where the applicant has an on-going business prior to the time of application.

• Should have completed enhanced Entrepreneurial Development Training (EDT)

• A group of OFWs who formed themselves into a business entity, either a partnership, corporation or cooperative: has at least 3 years track record of profitable operations, all partners/stockholders are OFWs and certified as OWWA members, and have completed the enhanced EDT

Is there a Collateral or Loan Security?

The collateral or loan security includes:

• An object of financing

• Mortgageable assets of the borrower (e.g., Real Estate Mortgage, Deed of Assignment of proceeds or market contracts, Contract Agreements, etc.)

• Any collateral/loan security acceptable to the bank

How Long is the Process?

Once an OFW submits all the documents needed to get the loan, it may take up to 1 month to be approved. Those with an existing loan to other banks are eligible to apply, as long as their business is in the Philippines and not overseas.