Value chain finance as defined in this book needs to build on trust and strong relationships between chain actors and financial service providers. Parties need to know and understand each other, and this often requires a change of mindset, particularly with the banks but also with the microfinance institutions, producers and companies. All cases in the book underline the need for financial institutions to have a deep understanding of the realities in the chain and of the need for timely and flexible finance. Likewise, the chain actors need to understand the business ealities and mentalities of banks and microfinance institutions looking at risk mitigation and cost coverage for their services.
