Pichit, SME D Bank MD, Embraces 'Warawut' Policy to Help Thai SMEs Navigate Crisis
SME D Bank is implementing the government's "Warawut" policy to support Thai small and medium enterprises through easier access to financing, green business transitions, and reduced collateral requirements amid economic challenges.
Industry Minister Warawut Silpaarch visited the Bank for Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SME D Bank), a state-owned specialized financial institution under the Industry Ministry's supervision, to deliver new operational policies. He emphasized that the bank must continue supporting Thai SME operators in all circumstances and facilitate their smooth transition to green business practices in line with the government's "ONE MIND single industry" policy, built on four pillars: listening to public and business voices, launching new economic engines, responsive governance, and ministerial commitment. These will be implemented through rapid and broad access to financial services coupled with development support, including technology and innovation training.
The bank must integrate cooperation with agencies under the Industry Ministry and both public and private sector partners to maximize efficiency for SMEs, helping them increase productivity, reduce costs, minimize waste and greenhouse gas emissions, adopt clean energy, and manage environmentally-friendly supply chains. This will enable Thai SMEs to adapt to global economic changes, compete internationally, and build long-term economic security.
Pichit Mitravongse, SME D Bank's Managing Director, stated that the bank is ready to implement the industry minister's policies as the primary mechanism supporting SMEs and linking partner organizations to enhance SME competitiveness amid economic challenges. The bank has implemented improvements across multiple dimensions, including clear policy communication at all levels, removing regulatory obstacles, relaxing borrower qualifications and collateral requirements, and increasing SME access to capital, particularly in target industries such as food, agricultural processing, and wellness.
The bank has incorporated ESG principles to promote environmentally and socially responsible business practices among SMEs while maintaining proper risk management. The bank has established a three-dimensional action plan: First, improving capital access by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises with total lending of over 20 billion baht at a low fixed interest rate of just 3% per year for the first three years, with repayment terms extending up to 10 years to ensure adequate liquidity during economic crises.
