QNB Egypt Empowers SMEs for Global Expansion Through the ”SME Champions Program” in Collaboration with EBRD
QNB Egypt, a subsidiary of QNB Group—the leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa—has organized a specialized forum as part of the national "SME Champions Program." This event was held within the framework of the ongoing collaboration between QNB Egypt and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), under the auspices of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE).
The forum aims to support export-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), empowering them to enhance their business competitiveness by providing the knowledge and tools necessary for growth and expansion across local, regional, and global markets.
A Shared Vision for Economic Growth
The program stems from a shared vision between QNB Egypt and the EBRD regarding the critical importance of supporting the SME sector, viewing it as a primary engine for economic growth. The initiative relies on transferring global expertise and best practices while combining robust financing solutions with specialized advisory services.
The event witnessed the attendance of Mohamed Bedeir, CEO of QNB Egypt, and Dr. Yehia El Husseiny, Head of SME Advisory Services at the EBRD in Egypt, alongside several senior officials, industry experts, and participating SME owners.
Key Focus Areas and Strategic Solutions
The forum's sessions focused on several core pillars designed to boost corporate competitiveness, most notably:
Sustainability and ESG: Integrating environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) standards into business strategies as a pivotal driver for sustainable growth.
Global Networking: Showcasing best practices for effective participation in international trade fairs, highlighting their role in building commercial partnerships and exploring new market opportunities.
Financial Management: Shedding light on a suite of financial solutions and tools that help companies manage their operations more efficiently, including trade finance instruments and Foreign Exchange (FX) Hedging mechanisms.
Executive Insights
Ahmed Fouad, Head of SMEs at QNB Egypt, stated:
"At QNB Egypt, we believe that supporting SMEs goes far beyond simply providing financing; it encompasses empowering companies with the knowledge, expertise, and best practices that facilitate sustainable growth and expansion. Driven by our belief in the pivotal role this sector plays in driving economic growth, boosting exports, and creating jobs, we continue—through our partnership with the EBRD and under the auspices of the CBE—to provide a comprehensive ecosystem of financial and non-financial solutions. This empowers Egyptian exporters to enhance their competitiveness and confidently expand into regional and global markets."
On his part, Dr. Yehia El Husseiny, Head of SME Advisory Services at the EBRD in Egypt, highlighted the bank's pivotal role in supporting and developing Egypt's private sector, particularly SMEs and startups. He explained that the SME Champions Program consists of two fundamental components:
Knowledge Transfer: Hosting experts across various fields to share insights with participating companies. This includes assessing and penetrating new markets, utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimize operations and market analysis, adopting innovative practices to expand exports, and embedding corporate governance and sustainability as core elements for a sustainable competitive edge.
Tailored Advisory Services: Delivering customized advisory services tailored to each company's specific needs through the EBRD's Business Support Program, utilizing both local and international experts. These services cover quality standards accreditation, institutional development, digitization, strategic planning, production development, and strengthening corporate governance practices.
"Through this program, we look forward to empowering more Egyptian companies to enhance their competitiveness and increase their access to global markets, thereby supporting the growth of Egyptian exports," Dr. El Husseiny added.
This event is part of a broader series of knowledge-based activities and programs implemented under the SME Champions Program, all aimed at supporting promising companies, elevating the competitiveness of the SME sector, and driving sustainable economic development.