Telcoinabox, Telecom sign $30m deal

Telcoinabox has signed an agreement with Telecom Wholesale to become a mobile virtual network aggregator of the W-CDMA network, says Scoop.

The deal is expected to appeal to small to medium-size enterprises (SMEs), associations and unions, resellers and corporations. It is hoped organisations will see the commercial potential in offering telecommunication packages under their own brands to existing customers.

“We are excited by the potential of Telcoinabox based on the success of its massive growth in Australia servicing more than 50 000 residential and business customers,” says Nick Clarke, Telecom Wholesale GM of marketing.

Emirates NBD has extended its services to Sharjah-based SMEs with the opening of its business banking centre in the Emirates, reports Banking Business Review.

The centre forms part of Emirates NBD's strategic objective to grow and support the SME sector, meeting the demand for business banking from Sharjah and Northern Emirates firms.

"Emirates NBD recognises the significant need for more efficient and well organised channels that will address the banking requirements of SMEs,” says Vikas Thapar, head of business banking at Emirates NBD.

A TMB Bank forecast says Thai SME loans this year will grow by 20% to 30% from last year, writes Bangkok Post.

The country's second-largest bank has planned to raise its target for loans growth to 15%, up from a previous projection of 10% growth, says Weidt Nuchjalearn, first executive VP of Krung Thai Bank.

Only businesses approved by National Innovation Agency (NIA) are eligible to apply for the loan. The NIA will subsidise businesses by paying interest for them for the three-year period with a maximum payment of five million baht for each project. Banks will be responsible for approving the loan sizes.