Gulf Business recently hosted The SME Breakfast event in Dubai where small and mid-sized companies gathered to learn about non-bank financing options and collect wisdoms on sales drive and creativity.
Peter Maerevoet, regional CEO for Asia and global CFO of Tradewind Finance, was a panelist for a session that discussed liquidity challenges business owners face and what funding opportunities exist for them, including trade finance, which is known to be more flexible than traditional bank loans. Maerevoet talked about the role export financing, a receivables-based type of trade finance, plays in setting a business up for growth.
Maerevoet also spoke on the importance of diversifying a business’s product portfolio and client base. He was joined on the panel by Gavin Kwas of National Bank of Fujairah.
Following the panel, Mark Dickinson of Motivate Academy gave sales advice to entrepreneurs in a segment called “Selling Like SME Rockstars”. Actor John Cleese ended the breakfast occasion with words on how companies can foster an environment of creativity to support growth.
