The new scheme was designed to allow viable small businesses to access credit where the only obstacle was lack of tangible security.

Retailers, companies trying to access credit and exporters are all continuing to struggle, recent data suggest.

They are the majority of the world's farmers, but are often forbidden to own the land they cultivate or to access credit to make those farms profitable.

The quarterly survey of 1,245 members also found that companies were more optimistic about their ability to access credit.

During times of conflict, cooperatives may be most advantageous because they enable members to accumulate savings, pool resources, access credit, and share risks.