The Finance Ministry has granted approval to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Bank (SME Bank) to raise its capital by 3.2 billion baht to six billion baht by the end of this year, according to bank president Samran Bhuanantanondh.
SME Bank’s vice-president, Chotisak Asapaviriya, said loans totalled 7.4 billion baht in the first four months of this year. It plans to provide loans worth 30 billion baht this year, with 60% of that amount targeted for SMEs located upcountry.
During the first four months of the year, the bank’s loans to SMEs located upcountry totalled 3.7 billion baht, below its monthly target of 1.5 billion baht.
Mr Chotisak said the bank also planned to extend credit to exporters or businesses hurt by the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, especially those involved with tourism.
