THE STRAITS TIMES > SME SPOTLIGHT > THIS WEEK WITH HSBC
May 31, 2010
Protect your business with Keyman insurance
ADAM owns a successful, award-winning design firm that has expanded from its headquarters in Singapore to Malaysia, Thailand and Shanghai.
Adam knows that the core of his company's success is the graphic design team, headed up by his long-time friend and partner Victor. Victor has a good eye for talent and has recruited a team of young artists and designers that keep the company's work fresh and stimulating.
May 17, 2010
Can Asia survive Europe's woes?
IT IS a question on the minds of many business owners in Singapore: after having come through a global recession last year, are we staring down the barrel of another period of turmoil as Europe's financial woes escalate?
Everyone has seen the problems the Greeks are facing and the Euro zone's aggressive US$1 trillion (S$1.39 trillion) rescue package and concern continues about the prospect of default by Portugal and Spain.
May 6, 2010
Who is buying Asia's exports?
IN THE aftermath of the global downturn, it has been Asia that has led the world into recovery.
Much of the economic strength of Asia lies in the quick recovery of its export levels which have now almost reached their pre-crisis peak.
May 3, 2010
HSBC is your partner in business
AT HSBC Commercial Banking, we see our role as a business partner to exciting and growing enterprises. We understand every company is different and the needs of a company will evolve over time as a company grows.
In the beginning, for most companies, the priority is to obtain finance so they can grow their enterprise. This may take the form of bank finance such as overdrafts or loans, or more innovative ways of improving a company's cash flow such as through receivables financing.
Apr 14, 2010
Is Malaysia's impressive recovery sustainable?
THE Malaysian economy is set to grow by 7.3 per cent in 2010 as the nation enjoys a strong sustainable recovery, according to HSBC's senior Asian economist.
Speaking at the Malaysian Advantage Seminar organised by HSBC Singapore's Commercial Banking Group, Mr Robert Prior-Wandesforde said the Malaysian economy was in the 'sweet spot' of the economic cycle.
Apr 1, 2010
The reassurance of insurance
DOING business in a globalised world is all about managing risks. Business leaders are constantly evaluating and reacting to a wide variety of potential threats and challenges.
Some risks such as market fluctuations or changes in government policies, are inevitable and outside the ability of a business person to control. Other risks, such as a fire in a factory or a work place injury, can be assessed and addressed.
Mar 12, 2010
Asia gets its confidence back
BUSINESS confidence among Asia's SMEs has returned to its pre-crisis levels according to the latest research by HSBC. And Singapore recorded one the largest improvements of any country in Asia.
This is the key finding of the HSBC Small Business Confidence Monitor for the final quarter of 2009.
Feb 22, 2010
Trade academy helps with international success
WHEN a company first starts exploring the world of international trade, the process can appear like a daunting maze of rules, processes and complex documentation.
But to succeed in the world of international commerce, SMEs need to master the necessary skills. After all, you can't make money if you don't get paid and the risk of buyer default increases when goods are bought and sold internationally.
Feb 10, 2010
Growing demand for trade finance
IN A sign that the economic environment is improving, a survey by HSBC has found demand among Singapore companies for trade finance is likely to grow during the next few months.
Feb 2, 2010
Getting ready to go global
WITH 2009 behind us, many SMEs are hoping the new year will provide a more conducive environment in which to make their first move overseas.
Singapore already has a high percentage of SMEs which generate revenue in international markets, with nearly 7 in 10 having already established an overseas presence.
Jan 14, 2010
Helping SMEs manage buyer default risk
SEALING the deal is an undeniably gratifying feeling every business owner loves. Once the signatures are inked on the contract it is time for celebrations and congratulations.
However many SMEs find out later that the hardest part of the transaction is actually making sure they get paid for their goods and services.
Jan 3, 2010
Doing business in China made easier
DOING business in China just got easier for SMEs with HSBC's Renminbi (RMB) trade settlement services.
HSBC is the first bank to offer RMB trade settlement service across all its Asean sites and has since completed its first transactions in seven Asean countries, namely, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, The Philippines and Vietnam.
Dec 8, 2009
Singapore to recover rapidly
A RECENT report from the world's leading international bank, HSBC, show Singapore's economic recovery is broadening and set to continue at a rapid pace, with the economy growing by a healthy 6.5 percent in 2010.
The report called 'Primal Knowledge: Still on fire?' was prepared by HSBC's Emerging Markets Research team.
Nov 26, 2009
Singapore trade confidence is up
THE confidence of Singapore's international trading companies has improved dramatically, according to the latest HSBC Trade Confidence Index.
In a sign the nation's key import and export industries are enjoying improved trading conditions, the Index score for Singapore score rose from 100 to 110.
Nov 4, 2009
Emerging markets show growth
HSBC has launched a powerful new economic indicator designed to track the economic and business health of the world's fast growing markets - the HSBC Emerging Markets Index (EMI).
A market first, the EMI is the largest survey of emerging market economic data, incorporating information from over 5,000 purchasing managers in 13 countries.
Oct 27, 2009
Find the right online banking
NOTHING has changed the way we do business more than the internet. And with its sophisticated online banking platform, HSBC Singapore has led the way in making banking online convenient and efficient.
The Singapore site recently won the internationally recognised Web Marketing Association's WebAward for the best Financial Services Website.
Oct 16, 2009
Be unlimited
WHEN President Kennedy committed the United States to an ambitious space program in 1961, it was said that not everyone was convinced of its feasibility. And yet before the decade was out Neil Armstrong was standing on the surface of the moon.
Sep 30, 2009
Receivables finance for SMEs
AS THE saying goes, you need money to make money. So there comes a time in the life of most SMEs when they need to access additional funds to take their business to the next level.
For many SMEs, their priority is to maintain sufficient funds to take on bigger orders or to support their entry into a new market. The more working capital a SME has available, the more options it has to grow.
Sep 15, 2009
Preparing for the upturn
WITH signs that the worst of the economic recession may have passed, a sense of optimism appears to be emerging among Singapore's SMEs.
Many are turning their minds to preparing for the return of economic growth. So if the new agenda for SMEs is to get ready for the upturn, what are the strategies they should be employing now? Here are some actions SMEs can take.
Sep 9, 2009
China: Still The Place To Be?
China's decade of economic success has attracted a large number of Singapore businesses keen to capitalise on the emerging nation's boom. But the global downturn has hit China hard and many fear their investments in China may turn bad.
