SAP extends business programme

Following successful deployment in New Zealand, SAP Australia has introduced the SAP Extended Business Programme to Australia, states Inside SAP.

The programme amalgamates hardware vendors, business consulting firms, integrators, resellers and independent software vendors of various sizes, geographic locations and specialist expertise into larger networks, led by one 'master' value-added reseller (VAR).

Smaller organisations can leverage the size and customer base of their VAR, to expand their operations and open new channels of business.

The Islamic Corporation for the Development (ICD) recently signed a deal to develop SMEs in Libya, says The Tripoli Post.

The ICD, a private sector arm of the Islamic Development Bank Group, will work with Libya's National Council for Economic Development (NCED) to implement the deal. The proposed fund is to be supported by incubators (premises with staff and equipment made available at low rent to new small businesses), which the NCED will create and sponsor.

The programme has previously been limited to financing medium and large projects, but the new fund will operate for the benefit of SMEs.

Standard Chartered Bank in Nigeria recently released a premium SME China Africa network, according to Business Day.

The network promotes a business relationship between African and Chinese businesses to provide Chinese-owned SMEs in Africa with unique banking services.

Christopher Knight, CEO, says: “The development of trade relationships between Africa, China, and the rest of Asia is laying the foundations for further trade diversification - a mutually beneficial development during the current global economic environment.”