UOB Thailand recently organised the seminar “Grow Beyond Borders: Expanding Across Borders into ASEAN Markets” for small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing and export sectors seeking opportunities to expand their businesses into ASEAN markets. The event, held at UOB Plaza’s head office, featured experts from the Department of International Trade Promotion, Warrix Sport Public Company Limited, and Sabina Public Company Limited, who shared insights and experiences on achieving regional business growth.
Ms Sayumrat Maranate, Head of Business Banking, UOB Thailand, said, “As a regional bank, we see immense opportunities for SMEs to expand their growth into other markets, especially in ASEAN, which is geographically close and one of the fastest-growing regions with increasing purchasing power.
In addition to financial support, SMEs should thoroughly study the target markets and regulations, establish strong partnerships, and develop flexible business plans that can address potential challenges.”
During the event, SME clients gained insights from the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, a government agency dedicated to providing information and consulting services on international trade to Thai entrepreneurs. Business representatives from successful brands like Warrix, known for high-quality sportswear, and Sabina, a leading women’s lingerie brand, shared their strategies for entering ASEAN markets and seizing regional opportunities.
Participants also learned about financial services tailored to SMEs, such as business deposit accounts, working capital loans, long-term loans, and trade finance solutions provided by UOB. Additionally, digital solution partners from the UOB BizSmart platform discussed the importance of implementing effective business management systems to prepare for business expansion.
