Technology & Innovation

The digitalisation of SME Finance in Asia

May 22, 2019

Asia

May 22, 2019

Asia
Charles Ross

Asia editorial director

Charles Ross is Principal of Policy and Insights in Asia-Pacific and leads the region's technology and society practice. Prior to this role, he was editorial director for The Economist Intelligence Unit overseeing all thought leadership research in Asia. Charles combines a deep understanding of how technology trends are reshaping business and society with excellent research and editorial skills, to create impactful and award-winning research programmes for clients. Charles is currently based in Australia and has led many projects analysing the implications for business of new technology trends such as blockchain, fintech, smart cities, cloud computing, sustainability and the internet of things, for Google, Stripe, SAP, Telstra, Microsoft, Prudential, Westpac and the Singapore government. He is a contributing industry expert to the UN Science Policy and Business Forum on the Environment and a frequent speaker at finance and technology events across the region. Charles holds a master of business administration, focusing on strategy and organisational change, from the University of Oxford and a certificate in public policy analysis from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

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The alternative financing sector is growing rapidly in Asia and disrupting traditional access to capital in the region. This brings about new funding opportunities, especially for small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) who large banks have, in the past, hesitated to lend to. However, this also introduces new risks and tensions with traditional capital-funding models.

The digitalisation of SME finance in Asia: Expanding the rewards and addressing the riskspart of a three-part research programme commissioned by Mastercard entitled The future of digitalisation in Asia: The challenges and opportunities ahead, examines these opportunities and challenges, and also explores how SMEs can leverage on the growing alternative financing market.

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