GABORONE - The Standard Chartered Bank has declared the month of October a Small Medium Enterprise month, an effort aimed at giving emphasis to the banks commitment to the sector.

Each week is dedicated to a different aspect of the banks ability to support the growth aspirations of customers in SMEs.

Speaking during an SME trade workshop held at the Gaborone Sun, the Standard Chartered Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Cutting explained that the areas of focus included customer centricity and the launch of SME Premium banking in Botswana, which offers a one stop banking solution to SME customers.

Other areas, according to Mr Cutting, are exploring the needs of SME customers and providing solutions to their financial services challenges through the creative application of products and services.

Mr Cutting further noted that the bank had ventured into what he termed the SMEs trade corridor project, which is an initiative aimed to assist SME customers conduct cross border business through the banks unique network of over 70 countries.

He said the main aim of the workshop was to create an opportunity for the SME customers to enhance their understanding of the critical aspects of the import and export trade.

Last month we launched the SME China Africa network which profiled our deep local knowledge of both Africa and China and how that can be of special advantage for our customers, stated Mr Cutting.

He said over 150 years of operating in China and over 140 years of operating in Africa means Standard Chartered Bank is uniquely placed to facilitate trade transactions for Africa and the Chinese SMEs.

Mr Cutting acknowledged that in the aftermath of the global crisis, the world is witnessing a new order with China and India growing their trade and investment in Africa almost exponentially.

The sources of Africas development are in the foreseeable future more likely to come from the east than from the west and SMEs in Africa and indeed Botswana need to take advantage of partnership opportunities with the banks like Standard Chartered who have the knowledge and experience, stated Mr Cutting.

Different organisations including BURS, BOBS and Grant Thornton were also invited to share knowledge on the SMEs. BOPA