Standard Chartered Supports SME Sector in Bahrain

01 November 2009, Bahrain- The Bank further strengthens commitment through the launch of SME Banking

Standard Chartered Bank Bahrain further strengthened its commitment to growing Small Medium Enterprise (SME) Industry in Bahrain through the launch of SME Banking. The full range of Standard Chartered's SME products and services offered specifically for business owners, proprietors, professionals and companies was unveiled at the recently held "The Second Business Exchange Conference".

Standard Chartered Bank in collaboration with the Businesswomen's Committee of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Bahrain Businesswomen's Society (BBS) sponsored the "The Second Business Exchange Conference". The conference provided an excellent platform for women entrepreneurs aspiring to expand their business through international ties.

Jonathan Morris, Chief Executive Officer Standard Chartered Bahrain said, "Standard Chartered Bank is proud to be associated with the Businesswomen's Committee of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Bahrain Businesswomen's Society in sponsoring this conference. The launch of our SME Banking at this conference is an exciting initiative and of key importance to the Bank. As the oldest bank in Bahrain, we are committed to supporting SME's which are the lifeblood to building sustainable economic success in any economy."

"As a Bank that champion's gender diversity, we believe that the conference also provided an excellent forum to support entrepreneurial spirit among women in the local business community".

During the conference, the Bank actively contributed to the event through presentations on "Support Services to SMEs" by Aramide Ajayi, Head SME Banking Standard Chartered Nigeria and "SME Banking, our international and local expertise" by Qamar Saleem, Regional Head of SME Banking. The Bank also took the opportunity to provided information and advisory services to the visiting delegates and entrepreneurs through its exhibition booth in the conference exhibition area.

B. Chandrasekhar, Regional Head Consumer Banking NGLO, Standard Chartered Bank said, "SME sector is one of the key contributors to country's economic growth and has significant future growth potential. We view our participation and our SME Banking launch as a continuous commitment to the SME segment and encouragement to SME players for further achievement."

"As partners, we will take every opportunity to ensure that our customers are provided not only with the right products and services but also through the sharing of knowledge and business practice. Our international network of presence in over 70 countries gives us in a distinct advantage to help the SMEs in Bahrain go global. This, we believe, will go a long way in ensuring successful business growth and expansion for our customers," he said."

Qamar Saleem, Regional Head SME Banking said, "We are a leading international bank that offers extensive range of business solutions to cater to the banking needs of small and medium sized companies across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. At Standard Chartered, we do not adopt a "one-size fits all" approach with our SME customers. Instead we tailor solutions to suit our different customers' needs. This is done in consultation with our customers and through ongoing assessment and interaction it is ensured that we are constantly aligned with customers' business plans."

Our SME Banking team in Bahrain is dedicated to you and your business. We offer tailored account packages, trade and treasury services, transactional banking solutions, dedicated relationship management and superior customer services. Our aim is to help your business reach its fullest potential. We would also provide international networking services to the local entrepreneurs.

For further information on SME Banking, please contact the nearest Standard Chartered Branch or call 8000 1017, email sme.bahrain@sc.com or visit http://www.standardchartered.com/bh.

For further information, please contact:

Nimmi Kamal
Head Corporate Affairs Bahrain, Standard Chartered Bank
Tel: +973 3977 076
E-mail: Nimmi.Kamal@sc.com

Standard Chartered - leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East

Standard Chartered PLC, listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, ranks among the top 25 companies in the FTSE-100 by market capitalisation. The London-headquartered group has operated for over 150 years in some of the world's most dynamic markets, leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its income and the number of employees have more than doubled over the last five years primarily as a result of organic growth and supplemented by acquisitions.

Standard Chartered aspires to be the best international bank in its markets through leading by example to be the right partner for its stakeholders. The group now employs 73,000 people, representing 115 nationalities, in more than 1,700 branches and outlets located in over 70 countries. The bank derives more than 90 per cent of its operating income and profits from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, with balanced income derived from both Wholesale and Consumer Banking.

The group is committed to building a sustainable business over the long term and is trusted worldwide for upholding high standards of corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental protection and employee diversity. For more information, please visit: www.standardchartered.com