Three state-run banks ordered to help SMEs

BANGKOK, Nov 6 (TNA) -- The government has ordered three state-run banks to join forces to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at their best. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak told a seminar on risk management for SMEs that during the next one year left in its, the government would work for SMEs that would be a main engine to drive the national economy. He said that most Thai operators were SMEs and they contributed to about 40% of the gross domestic product. He said the government approved loans worth altogether about 200 billion baht to help SMEs and lent 200 billion baht more to guarantee loans for SMEs. He ordered SME Development Bank, Government Savings Bank and Export-Import Bank of Thailand to jointly help SMEs. SME Development Bank will be revamped. It will have more staff and technologies to evaluate loan requests and approve loans quickly at branches without having to seek approval from the headquarters. As SME Development Bank has only 90 branches nationwide, Mr Somkid ordered Government Savings Bank to set up its SME centres at its nationwide branches to lend to SMEs and offer them business advice. He also ordered Exim Bank to support the international business of SMEs that need export and import. Besides, Mr Somkid said he asked the Bank of Thailand and commercial banks to support SMEs by offering loan packages and training SMEs on the management of foreign exchange risks and foreign trade risks. (TNA)