Thomson Reuters and Bank Al Etihad Join Forces to Provide Startups in Jordan Access to Services & Funding

Press release

Published October 23rd, 2017 - 08:02 GMT

Nadim Najjar , Managing Director, MENA Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters and Bank al Etihad announced the launch of Accelerate SME Jordan (http://jordan.acceleratesme.com), a digital platform that serves as the single gateway to the SME ecosystem in the country.

The platform provides startups and SMEs with access to the most comprehensive source of business resources, services and funding solutions and is designed to help organizations reach their business goals.

“We recognize that today’s SMEs and entrepreneurs are the success stories of the future,” said Nadim Najjar, Managing Director, MENA Thomson Reuters. “We want to leverage our capabilities and partnerships with leading organizations to help support the SME ecosystem.”

SMEs constitute around 95% of the national economy in Jordan and employ nearly 70% of the private sector's workforce. They are the backbone of the economy, yet many continue to struggle with setting up a new business, accessing funding for expansion, growing business and winning new customers. Accelerate SME Jordan addresses some of these challenges.

“Over the course of more than 35 years, Bank al Etihad has positioned itself as the ideal financial partner and number one supporter of entrepreneurs and businesses on the fast-track to growth,” said Nadia Al Saeed, CEO, Bank al Etihad. “We believe in supporting and celebrating the Kingdom’s brightest minds, innovative startups and the visionary business leaders of tomorrow.”

Tina Ghanem, Head of Accelerate SME, Thomson Reuters, said: “We are very excited to partner with Bank al Etihad, a trailblazer for Jordanian SMEs. We know that through this partnership, Accelerate SME Jordan can help connect and support the vibrant startup ecosystem in Jordan.”

Accelerate SME Jordan is free to join. Startups, entrepreneurs and business owners can freely access resources including relevant news, industry insights and intelligence for the Jordan market, as well as a selection of business tools, templates and advice guides. The platform also provides a curated marketplace of discounted business services tailored for SMEs in addition to funding solutions from Bank al Etihad and other partners catering to every business stage.

Background Information

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is one of the world’s most trusted provider of answers, helping professionals make confident decisions and run better businesses. Our customers operate in complex arenas that move society forward — law, tax, compliance, government, and media – and face increasing complexity as regulation and technology disrupts every industry.

Company Profile

Bank al Etihad

Bank al Etihad was founded in 1978 as a public shareholding company, and has been moving steadily towards boosting its financial status and profitability.

The Bank continues to implement its calculated strategy of client base expansion, risk diversification through widening its range of services and targeting groups from both the retail and corporate sectors.

The Bank attracts a qualified team of young Jordanian professionals and combines a team of experts working relentlessly to further enhance the Bank’s overall achievements, striving for more progress and prosperity to achieve the Bank’s ambitious objectives for the coming years.