Mr Aaron Ameyaw making a presentation
FIDELITY BANK Ghana, in partnership with MDF West Africa, has initiated a trade road show focused on training micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs).
Covering international trade payment methods and their associated risks, opportunities available in the international trade business, and understanding the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) new clearing process, the road show forms part of the bank’s SME-focused measures to enable businesses to adapt swiftly and navigate the global challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The initiative also ties in with the MasterCard Foundation’s sponsored MSMEs Covid-19 Recovery and Resiliency Programme (MCRRP), which aims to support MSMEs to sustainably diversify their business lines and/or enter new markets.
The MCRRP has Pyxera Global as the implementing partner for coordination and quality control with MDF West Africa providing digitization, online and virtual resources and other Business Development Services (BDS) support. Other partners of the MCRRP include Scale up Africa, Global Mamas and J. A. Venture Capital Investments.
The first session of the road show themed, ‘How to Navigate the International Trade Business Landscape in the Midst of COVID-19’ was held at the Golden Bean Hotel in Kumasi, Ghana.
Opening the training session, Gustav Nii Ayi Mokobi Aryee, Head, Commercial Banking of Fidelity Bank Ghana, said, “Commercial businesses and MSMEs are a critical segment of our economy and the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the global supply chain system and by extension, affected international trade where MSMEs mostly operate. However, we are confident that by equipping our partner MSMEs with the relevant know-how and expertise regarding critical developments in the international trade arena, they will be sufficiently armed to strategise effectively and continue to grow their businesses in spite of the challenges posed by the pandemic.”
Julia W. Anyanewaa Appiah, Project Manager, MDF West Africa Ltd, said “This training session is geared towards increasing the operational capacity of MSMEs, empowering them to continue operating at or even above pre-Covid-19 levels and ensuring that MSMEs maintain or expand employment levels in spite of the pandemic.”
In a presentation, Aaron Ameyaw, Head, Corporate and Transactional Banking Operations of Fidelity Bank Ghana, advised MSMEs to close the trade gap by adopting e-channels like the Fidelity Mobile App, Cheque Scanner and Fidelity’s Corporate Internet Banking platform.
Over 70MSMEs participated in the maiden training session.
A business desk report