Thailand

Thailand's Finance Ministry looks to softloan packages for smaller businesses in order to arrest the economic downturn.

Adequate credit guarantees are essential to averting a credit crunch among SMEs, says Bank of Thailand governor Tarisa Watanagase

Small businesses are being urged to make the most out of a new baht 40bn SME support fund.

Four additional restricted businesses - rental, operations leasing, financial leasing and factoring - will be made more open to foreign ownership this week.

The Bank of Thailand will make available baht40 bn for soft loans to help SMEs that might be affected by the strengthening baht.

The Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim) has signed its first contract to provide easy export insurance services with Siam City Bank (SCIB).

Bangkok Bank expects 15% net growth in loans to SMEs, says Piya Sosothikul, a bank executive vice-president.

Trade finance transaction volume at Thanachart Bank (TBANK) has tripled since The Bank of Nova Scotia took a 24.98% stake in the Thai lender early last year.

Siam Commercial Bank has reorganised its risk classification system for SME clients to meet with the new Basel II regulatory guidelines.

Local banks interested in financing the Airport Link light-rail project only if the debt is guaranteed by the Finance Ministry.