EVENT:      MANAGING PROBLEM LOANS

DATE:        12^TH APRIL 2017

VENUE:      SIBANE HOTEL

• SADC-DFRC Representatives      
• Programme Facilitator               
• Participants from the different DFIs

I greet you All

INTRODUCTION

First of all, I would to apologise on behalf of SwaziBank’s Managing Director – Mr. Zakhele Lukhele who could not be here with us today because of other commitments.

He however sends his appreciation to SADC-DFRC for choosing Swaziland as a host country for such an important training. As DFIs, such opportunities are highly valued because they are good platforms for us to share experiences and learn from each other.

This week’s programme was Managing Problem Loans which is key in ensuring business continuity. We therefore need to strengthen our ability to successfully follow up on funds we have disbursed, and this training has provided a lot of insight.

Part of our mission statement as SwaziBank, is to provide professional management and administration of funded projects. It is through this process that we are able to monitor the projects we have funded at every stage to ensure that the borrower has not deviated from the initial objective as portrayed by the business plan. This is mostly applicable to SMEs who form part of our major clients as we pursue our developmental mandate.  

Providing such an expertise to them will not only ensure that they are able to repay the loans and sustain their businesses, but that they will be able to grow into corporate clients, which is our pride as financers and key to the government’s aim of reducing unemployment.

Managing problem loans may seem to be the last stage in the loan process, but the life of the loan is a cycle, in that, all the stages are interlinked. Whether it is the appraisal, approval, securities or opening stage, they all have an effect on how the loan performs. No process should therefore be taken as a stand-alone or less important as they all feed into each other. As we know that a chain can only be as strong as its weakest link.

We would also like to pass our sincere gratitude to Mr. McRobert who has honoured the request by SADC-DFRC to facilitate this programme. We believe he emptied himself during the three days he has been with you.

Lastly, I would like to thank participants from the different countries whom I believe were fully alive to the programme and participated immensely. We all know that as adults, we learn better by sharing experiences.

In coclusion, we wish all those who will be travelling outside Swaziland a safe journey. We trust that not only have you gained new knowledge, but you have also enjoyed your stay in our beautiful Kingdom. Though your stay was short, but we hope you took time to enjoy the valley’s refreshing scenery.

I thank you!