The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank) predicts its credit line will jump 28.5% to 36 billion baht this year from 28 billion baht last year.
Chotisak Asapaviriya, president of the bank, said the projection is based on the booming economy, which will increase demand for credit as well as the coming launch of several small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) projects by state agencies this year.
In addition to walk-in customers, the bank also enjoys the advantage of being the only state-owned financial institution to acquire customers through co-operation with agencies providing support for SME projects such as the Industry Ministry, Commerce Ministry and those overseeing the One Tambon One Product (Otop) programme.
Mr Chotisak said about 10,000 SME projects with links to state agencies are expected to apply for loans from the bank this year.
This will spur competition for credit extension among financial institutions...
