AMMAN, JORDAN - 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 todays 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 Kingdoms 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.

-Ends-

About Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial and risk, legal, tax and accounting, intellectual property and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. Thomson  Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges (symbol: TRI). For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com   

About Bank al Etihad
Bank al Etihad is a Jordan-based financial and banking services institution, established in 1978 as a public shareholding company. It has a paid-up capital of JDs 160,000,000; a capital base in excess of JOD 270 million and a capital adequacy ratio of 14.72%. It is one of the fastest-growing banks in Jordan. The Bank currently operates a network of 43 branches and 84 ATMs distributed across the Kingdom, in addition to a central exchange unit. Bank al Etihad is a member of the Board of Directors and a Strategic Partner of The National Bank (TNB) in Palestine, owning a 10% stake. The Bank also fully owns a brokerage firm, Etihad Brokerage, which was founded in 2006, as well as Etihad Leasing Company, established in 2016.

CONTACT
Tarek Fleihan
Corporate Communications and Public Relations 
Middle East, Africa & Russia / CIS Thomson Reuters
+97144536527
Email: tarek.fleihan@thomsonreuters.com
Tel:  +962 6 585 4002/6
Fax:  +962 6 585 3001
P.O. Box:  930391, Amman 11193, Jordan
Email: media@bidayacorp.com  

Press Release 2017