QNB Egypt Enhances SME Readiness for Growth and Expansion Through the SME Champions Program   

 QNB Egypt, a subsidiary of QNB Group, a leading financial

institution in the Middle East and Africa, organized

a specialized forum as part of the national SME Champions Program, building on

the ongoing cooperation between QNB Egypt and the European Bank for

Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), under the auspices of the Central Bank

of Egypt

The forum aims to support export-oriented SMEs by equipping

them with the knowledge and capabilities needed to enhance their

competitiveness. It also seeks to help businesses strengthen their capacity for

sustainable growth and expansion across local, regional, and international market

The program is founded on the shared

commitment of QNB Egypt and the EBRD to advancing the SME sector as a key

driver of economic growth. It combines tailored financing solutions with specialized

advisory services, while facilitating knowledge exchange and the adoption of

international best practices

Mohamed Bedeir, Chief Executive Officer of QNB Egypt, and Dr Yehia

El-Husseiny, Director of Advisory

Services for SMEs at EBRD in Egypt, attended the event alongside senior

officials and specialized experts from both sides, as well as representatives

of participating SMEs

The sessions addressed several

priority areas that contribute to strengthening SME competitiveness.

Discussions explored the integration of sustainability practices and

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards into business strategies

as a foundation for long-term growth. Participants also examined best practices

for effective participation in international trade fairs, highlighting their

role in building strategic partnerships and unlocking new opportunities in

global markets. In addition, the sessions showcased a range of financial

solutions designed to enhance business efficiency, including trade finance

solutions and foreign exchange (FX) hedging mechanisms.

 Ahmed Fouad, Head of SMEs at QNB

Egypt, said: “At QNB Egypt, we believe that supporting SMEs extends

beyond providing finance. It is about equipping businesses with the knowledge,

expertise, and best practices needed to achieve sustainable growth and

long-term success. Driven by our belief in the vital role this sector plays in

advancing economic development, boosting exports, and creating job

opportunities, we continue, through our partnership with the EBRD under the auspices of the Central Bank of Egypt, to deliver

an integrated suite of financial and non-financial solutions that enables

Egyptian exporters to strengthen their competitiveness and expand confidently

across regional and international markets

Yehia El-Husseiny, Director of Advisory Services for SMEs at EBRD in Egypt, said: The

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development play a vital role in

supporting and developing the private sector in Egypt, particularly SMEs and

start-ups. In this context, the ‘SME

Champions Program’ was launched in collaboration with QNB and under the

auspices of the Central Bank of Egypt, aiming to support SME exporters that

possess promising potential for growth and expansion into international

markets. The program comprises two key components: the first involves hosting

experts from various fields to share their expertise with participating

companies, covering areas such as market assessment and entry strategies, the

use of artificial intelligence to optimize operations and analyze markets, and

innovative export expansion practices, as well as corporate governance and

sustainability as essential elements for achieving a sustainable competitive

advantage

The second component involves

providing advisory services tailored to the specific needs of each company

through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD) business

support program, utilizing both local and international experts. These services

encompass the adoption of quality standards, organizational development and digitalization, the formulation of strategies and production development plans

and the enhancement of corporate governance practices. Through this program, we aim to empower more Egyptian companies to boost their competitiveness and

expand their access to global markets, thereby contributing to the growth of

Egyptian exports

This event comes part of a series of activities and

knowledge-sharing program carried out under the SME Champions Program, aimed at

supporting high-potential businesses, enhancing SME competitiveness, and

contributing to sustainable economic development