FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

New Krungsri SME Empowerment services to support entrepreneur clients

New Krungsri SME Empowerment  services to support entrepreneur clients

Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya) on Tuesday announced the introduction of value-added services for small and medium-sized entrepreneur customers, called Krungsri SME Empowerment.

The aim is to enhance business opportunities for entrepreneurs by providing knowledge and business networks with the synergy between the bank’s local strength and the global network of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG). 
As part of its goal to be a main operating bank for SME customers, Krungsri is determined to develop digital technology and innovations to increase the quality of services, and in response to a recent survey of Krungsri SME Index, which showed rising confidence among SME entrepreneurs, it said.
Sayam Prasitsirigul, Krungsri head of SME Banking Group, said: “Krungsri gives priority for creating business opportunities for our customers through total financial solutions, knowledge-providing activities and business-matching. We have decided to introduce Krungsri SME Empowerment to maximise value and business potential for our customers through the collaboration between Krungsri and MUFG. 
“In recent years, we arranged knowledge-sharing activities to explore the potential of high-growth markets in CLMV [Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam], and provide insights on digital transformation, as well as business trips in Japan. We also adapted the new technology to provide SME Online Business Matching, aiming to expand SME customers’ distribution channels via online platform on Krungsri’s website and the cooperation with our domestic and foreign partners. 
“In addition, we arrange the ‘Krungsri-MUFG Business Matching Fair’ annually, offering greater opportunities for networking and matching Thai businesses with foreign partners, who are customers of MUFG.”
“In recent years, we have conducted quarterly surveys about the economic confidence of SME entrepreneurs. The latest result of survey among SME entrepreneurs nationwide in the third quarter showed the Krungsri SME Index had increased from the previous quarter to 3.82, supported by an increase of Thailand’s exports and the progress on the development of Eastern Economic Corridor, reflecting the positive point of view from the manufacturing sector and the upbeat sentiment of entrepreneurs in the eastern provinces of Rayong, Chon Buri and Chachoengsao. 
“However, the survey found medium-sized SMEs had more confidence in the economic situation than small-sized entrepreneurs. For the outlook of the fourth quarter, the index was still in the positive zone at 27.26 as SME entrepreneurs in all segments are quite optimistic about the continued growth of the economy, reflecting the overall recovery is likely to be broader,” the executive said.
As to the performance of Krungsri SME Banking, Sayam said: “The improvement in the economic environment was a major catalyst for the strong growth of medium-sized SME (SME-M) and small-sized enterprises (SME-S) portfolio. In the first nine months of 2018, SME-M and SME-S loans increased by 13 per cent, exceeding our target and outpacing the industry average, driven by lending demand from medium-sized enterprises and supply-chain business. 
“In conclusion, Krungsri is committed to supporting SME customers and expects our growth to remain at high levels until the end of 2018.”

nationthailand