Last Friday (23/06), Banco Société Générale Moçambique inaugurated a space reserved for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), called Casa das PME, in Maputo.

This project consists of training SMEs, from the managers of companies affiliated to the bank to the general public interested in developing a particular business as an SME.

According to CEO Ridha Tekaia, the Société Générale Group's global strategy is to support this segment of companies for their social and economic commitment.

"We look at SMEs as a sector of prosperity, we know that in Mozambique SMEs make up a large part of the business sector and we think the time has come for us to make our contribution by supporting them and offering them greater strength in their actions," explained Ridha.

In order to open this SME House, the Bank has identified basic elements that are relevant to supporting companies, taking into account the challenges of accessing credit and presenting collateral.

National and international investment fund partners and institutions are involved in this project, with specific lines for the various sectors that make up the Mozambican economic system.

According to the Head of the Bank's SME Unit, Ricardo Guambe, the focus is on expanding services to support the needs of this segment, from the stage of company creation and structuring, empowering them in various day-to-day matters.

"Here we will have experts in various subjects, from taxes, accounting, among others, to the development of business plans, which is what most companies need in order to produce profits and make a return on their investments as well as investments," said Guambe.

With the opening of the SME House, the Bank believes that it will get to know its customers better and will be able to respond more accurately to their requests. It will have a clear understanding of the business, making it easier to grant loans, which will culminate in the enhancement of customer loyalty to the SME segment.