SME Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank)

The mission of the SME Bank is to provide financial and other services to advance the government policy of helping and promoting SMEs. Though not specifically geared toward women, a range of products are offered to meet the needs of entrepreneurs, such as credit guarantees and loans for business expansion and improvement. There are different credit options for SMEs: (1) productivity improvement loans of up to THB 5 million (US$ 150,000) for machines, automation, and process improvement; (2) “Happy Loans,” or revolving fund contracts to assist SMEs in 13 specific industries, including textiles and garments, food and beverage, wooden products, and construction; (3) loans of up to THB 1 million (US$30,000) for small enterprises; (4) credit for imports and exports; (5) start-up credit; and (6) credit for innovation activities such as filing a patent or upgrading equipment. The SME Bank also offers business-matching events, such as the Thai-Japanese 2013 event to link up SMEs in the auto industry and electronic parts sectors with Japanese customers and partners.