Banking
Small and Medium Enterprise Bank of Thailand (SME) approves loans to 1,960 riot victims
A total of 1,960 business vendors whose businesses were destroyed in blazes set by anti-government protesters more than a week ago have received combined loans totalling Bt1.29 billion from the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank).
The loans were granted to vendors under the ‘smePower for a New Better Day’ sponsored by the bank between May 26-29, said Soros Sakornvisava, managing director of SME Bank.
Under a programme to enable entrepreneurs whose businesses were destroyed in the May 19 fires in the wake of the government’s security operation against anti-government protesters to carry on with their businesses, SME Bank has set aside Bt5 billion to assist small vendors. No interest will be charged in the first year, but it will be 3 per cent the following year.
via SME Bank approves loans to 1,960 riot victims; Approval of new foreign firms down in May.
Asean
12 Things to Know about the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF)
The ACGF is an ASEAN Infrastructure Fund initiative managed by ADB’s Southeast Asia Department Innovation Hub. It helps Southeast Asian governments prepare and finance infrastructure projects promoting environmental sustainability and contributing to climate change goals.
Southeast Asia faces an infrastructure investment shortfall of more than $100 billion a year, which may have worsened amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Banking
Thai cabinet approves 350 billion baht Aid for COVID-hit Businesses
Thailand unveiled new measures to help small and medium COVID-hit businesses in the tourism industry hit by a liquidity crunch.
The Thai cabinet has approved assistance worth 350 billion baht($11 Billion) to help businesses affected by COVID-19 with soft loans and asset warehousing.
Banking
APAC Banks to Face Portfolio Valuation Losses As Yields Rise
The latest data suggest that Fitch-rated banks in Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan have the largest AFS securities portfolios, and display particular sensitivity to changes in yields.
Fitch Ratings-Hong Kong/Singapore-21 March 2021: A rise in yields for long-dated sovereign bonds will result in near-term losses for Asia-Pacific (APAC) banks as they recognise valuation changes on their available-for-sale (AFS) bond portfolios, but the capital impact should be manageable for most rated banks, says Fitch Ratings.
Thai fruit exports to FTA markets up 107 percent
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