HCM CITY — The United Overseas Bank (UOB) has partnered with the Foreign Trade University (FTU) in Việt Nam to launch the finance industry’s first tertiary education programme designed for bankers that serve small businesses.

Speaking at a press conference held yesterday in the city, Harry Loh, country manager of UOB’s HCM City branch, said that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) formed the backbone of Việt Nam’s economy, accounting for 97 per cent of the country’s businesses.

“SMEs are among the most optimistic about their growth prospects within Asia Pacific,” he added.

In addition, four out of five of SMEs sought external finance last year to help them take advantage of business opportunities, according to the CPA Australia Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey 2016 – Market Summary: Việt Nam.

As SMEs manage and grow their business, they need to navigate complex areas such as business planning, cash-flow management and international trade risks.

The UOB-FTU Banker’s Executive Certificate Programme combines classroom-based study in credit and risk management, trade financing and regional regulatory frameworks, with practical skills training such as best practices for customer onboarding.

Upon completion of the programme, UOB bankers will be better equipped to help SMEs with their business needs and to overcome the challenges they may face.

Loh also said that UOB was committed to ensuring its bankers have in-depth knowledge and skills required to support the business growth ambitions of its customers.

“We expect that more Vietnamese SMEs will pursue business opportunities within the region as they tap the economic benefits arising from the ASEAN Economic Community,” he said.

“As such, their needs will have to be supported by bankers who possess specialist skills and who understand what it takes to succeed in doing business across borders, whether it is in managing foreign exchange risks or navigating the regulatory landscape in different markets,” he added.

Associate Prof. Nguyễn Xuân Minh, director of the FTU HCM City Campus, said the joint training programme would address the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the banking sector.

The programme is specifically designed to improve the skills of bankers as they support Việt Nam’s SMEs to seize regional growth opportunities, he said.

Headquartered in Singapore, UOB has a global network of more than 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. — VNS