Ezulwini – FNB Eswatini is engaging small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the country to identify their business needs and tailor its support and services accordingly.
The bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Thokozani ‘TK’ Dlamini, said the newly introduced FNB SME Growth Forums were intended to create direct conversations with entrepreneurs on the challenges they faced and the support they required to grow their businesses.
Dlamini said the bank wanted to hear directly from business owners about areas where its services could be improved and what assistance was needed in different sectors.
“The biggest thing we want to achieve through this work is to hear from business owners what they need from us and where we need to improve, so that we can shape our services to be what they need,” Dlamini said.
He was speaking during the Hhohho Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Awards held at Sibane Sami Hotel in Ezulwini yesterday.
The FNB CEO said the SME Growth Forums were being held in different regions to bring business support closer to entrepreneurs.
The initiative is being implemented under FNB’s new financial year programme, “Lusito lolukhonsile lwawo onkhe emaSwati,” which translates to support that is available to all EmaSwati.
Dlamini said the forums would provide a platform for entrepreneurs from different sectors and at different stages of business development to engage with the bank.
“Whatever sector you operate in, no matter the number of years you have been in business, we are here to support you,” he said.
He said FNB recognised the contribution of SMEs to the economy and viewed investment in their growth and sustainability as an investment in Eswatini’s development.
Dlamini said the bank’s partnership with the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) through the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (EYA) provided an opportunity to engage directly with entrepreneurs and support their business journeys.
He said the EYA had also demonstrated the range of businesses operating across the country, including enterprises in agriculture, construction and handicrafts.
Dlamini said the bank had learnt from its engagements with entrepreneurs that businesses required a conducive environment and appropriate support to grow.
He said the SME Growth Forums would therefore allow FNB to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by businesses and use that feedback to improve the support available to them.
The CEO invited SME owners attending the Hhohho regional awards to participate in the SME Growth Forum held after the awards ceremony, where entrepreneurs had an opportunity to discuss the support they required from the bank.
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