Doha, December 12 (QNA) - QNB, stressed its commitment to supporting SMEs in the State of Qatar, as well as its support of all manner of logistic and industrial projects that will diversify the country’s economy and enhance the competitiveness of its private sector.
QNB has always been keen on having a strong presence as a key supporter of the rapidly growing Qatari logistics sector. The Bank recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Logistics Committee of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and Manateq for one of the largest government projects in these economic sectors, focusing on three areas: South Al-Wakra, Birkat Al-Awamir, and Aba Salil. The project aims to reduce investors’ operating costs and improve their productivity.
QNB continues to support SMEs through introducing many products that offer suitable solutions to business owners who wish to expand their businesses or start new, creative ventures. The bank paid special interest to the industry, tourism, healthcare, and education sectors, by launching various products and offers to encourage investment in these sectors, since they are some of the most important sectors for the realization of the 2030 national vision.
Commenting on the matter, QNB’s General Manager - Group Corporate and Institution Banking Yousef Al-Neama said "At QNB Group, we aim to maintain our standing as a key supporter of the projects that serve the private sector and enhance its competitiveness, so that it can play its part in the development process. We are proud, being the biggest bank in Qatar, to participate in the sustained economic development process in line with Qatar’s 2030 national vision".
"We invite everyone to avail QNB’s special operating capital financing, loan refinancing, and other creative products recently launched by the Group in line with its vision to encourage Qatari startups and entrepreneurs, who will contribute greatly toward the creation of a successful national workforce with a clear future outlook", Al-Neama added.
For example, the manufacturing sector can avail any number or group of financial products. The finance options available cover Equipment, Infrastructure Loans, Business buy out , Vehicle loan and lease , Working Capital, Raw material and refinancing of existing Term Loans or Working Capital. 

The financing for government supported projects includes the development of the logistic zones, as well as warehouse, labor city, and food security projects among others. 

To set up and support a company’s operations in the Tourism and Leisure industry, QNB offers SME’s financing in the areas of Asset Finance, Tourism Premises, Business Buy-Out, Vehicle Loan and Lease, Working Capital and Refinancing of existing Term Loans or Working Capital. 

Support of SME’s in the Medical and Healthcare sector, will see QNB offer Medical Equipment, Medical Facility Loan, Healthcare Buy-Out, Vehicle Loan and Lease, Medical Transportation, Working Capital and Refinancing of existing Term Loans or Working Capital Finance. 

Another important and integral part of the comprehensive product offer is the availability of the QNB Credit Card for SME’s. Through this card, SME’s can manage and control their day to day business expenses in a convenient and easy way. 

Also notably, QNB launched the first SME online portal (www.businesspulse.qa) in partnership with Enterprise Qatar and Thomson Reuters. This will further strengthen the "One Stop Shop" service concept being promoted across a diverse range of economic sectors. QNB is also the main supporter of QDB’s Al-Dhameen SME program. 

QNB carries out its SME financing operations in collaboration with a number of different government and private sector partners, including: Enterprise Qatar (EQ), Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Ministry of Energy and Industry, Mannai Trading, Qatar Insurance Company (QIC), Qatar Life and Medical Insurance Company (QLM), Bedaya Center for Entrepreneurship and SME Development, and Qatar Development Bank (QDB).

The bank also participated in many SME conferences and events, including extending its support, as the Gold sponsor, to the International Conference on Access to Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs in the Arab World. The two-day conference, which was organized by Qatar University, College of Business and Economics, witnessed a large number of participants and attendees from many countries across the world. 

The bank was also the Platinum Sponsor of the Global Entrepreneurship Week, which was hosted by QDB under the patronage of HE Dr. Hessa Al Jaber, Qatar's Minister of Information and Communication Technology. 

The bank also recently opened its newest SME Centre in Al Shoumoukh Towers as part of its steadfast commitment to supporting SMEs and as a distinguished addition to its corporate branches strategically placed across the country. The new SME Centre will further increase QNB’s capacity to support all current and future business owners who are seeking access to finance in order to expand or start a business.