OneConnect expands its presence in the Middle East, by developing with Abu Dhabi Global Market a digital SME funding platform
Singapore, 19 September 2022 — OneConnect Financial Technology Co., Ltd (“OneConnect” or the “Company”, Stock Code: 6638.HK), a leading Technology-as-a-Service (“TaaS”) provider, announced that it will help develop the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) SME Financing Platform, an integrated digital finance marketplace that will transform the financing services landscape for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Working with ADGM, the international financial centre in the capital of the UAE, the intelligent marketplace will help advance financial inclusion, enhance transparency, alleviate operational costs in SME finance and improve the overall customer experience for SMEs and funding organizations.
The ADGM SME Financing Platform will be an open and inclusive digital finance platform that improves SMEs’ access to financing. As a marketplace connecting various key stakeholders such as SMEs, multi-lenders and data sources from government agencies, and supported by a robust loan origination process which enables seamless transfer of data, the platform will enable better, faster and more risk-appropriate financing decisions to be made. The entire loan application process is made agile and simplified through the use of digital tools such as e-contracts and e-signatures.
As a result, SMEs will be able to access a wider range of financing options such as effective supply chain finance solutions. It will also give financiers such as banks and credit funds access to a wider pool of customers. Further, an intelligent recommendation engine will help SMEs identify the best-fit loan products available to them within the marketplace.
“At OneConnect, we believe in creating long term value for our clients. We listen to our client’s needs and deliver next generation omni-solutions which can cater to not only their present needs but their future needs as well. With ADGM, this is our second project, which is a direct reflection of our deepened client relationships and trust. We believe that great things in business are never done by one person! We learn from all to build for all. We are excited to bring our expertise in developing digital financial solutions for SMEs within the UAE region and eventually to Middle East and North Africa(MENA) region” said Ms Tan Bin Ru, CEO (Southeast Asia) of OneConnect Financial Technology
Earlier, OneConnect had worked with ADGM to launch the Digital Lab in early 2021. The Digital Lab is UAE’s first Open API platform that allows financial institutions and FinTech innovators to collaborate and build the next generation of digital financial services.
“SMEs are a key contributor to economic growth and are deserving of an open and transparent marketplace for financial products,” said Dhaher bin Dhaher Al Muhairi, CEO of ADGM Registration Authority. “With the new platform, SMEs will find more convenient, affordable and effective financing solutions that will further improve the competitiveness and diversification of the UAE economy and transform the financing landscape in the MENA region.”
Despite challenges caused by the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, OneConnect has been successful in securing a new partnership building a strong relationship with ADGM. Through a comprehensive suite of technologies, a unique “Finance+Technology” business model and a customer-oriented approach, OneConnect will continue to explore future opportunities within the MENA region following the adoption of a cutting-edge platform by a leading financial centre and common law jurisdiction in the region.
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About OneConnect Financial Technology
OneConnect Financial Technology Co. Ltd. (“The Company”) is a leading technology-as-a-service platform for financial institutions. The globally-recognised company is a high-tech enterprise that was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2019 (NYSE: OCFT) and achieved dual primary listing in Hong Kong in 2022 (HKEX: 6638). The Company integrates extensive financial services industry expertise with market-leading technology to provide technology applications and technology-enabled business services to financial institutions. These solutions enable our customers’ digital transformations, which seek to increase revenue, manage risks, improve efficiency, enhance service quality and reduce costs.
OneConnect is an associate of Ping An Group. By leveraging on Ping An Group’s extensive experience of over 30 years in financial services, OneConnect has established long-term relationships with financial institutions to serve and accurately address their digital transformation needs. Above its expertise and experience as a leading digital banking solutions provider, OneConnect also actively promotes digital transformation for financial institutions and provides trade, credit, supply chain, data security, risk management and other related scientific and technological services for government, regulatory and enterprise users. The Company currently serves more than 20 countries and regions.
OneConnect has world-leading technology capabilities for financial services in AI, Big Data Analytics, Blockchain and Financial Cloud. As of 31 December 2021, the Company had submitted 5,652 global patent applications, including 1,525 overseas patent applications. The Company has also won 61 international professional awards, including four consecutive IDC Awards, the prestigious Wu Wen Jun AI Science and Technology Award, BAI Global Insurance Certification Award, the first prize in the OMG Micro-expression Competition, the first prize in Machine Learning in DROP Leaderboard and the CMMI5 international certification.
About Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is the international financial centre (IFC) of the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, opened for business on 21st October 2015. ADGM augments Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading financial centre and a business hub serving as a strategic link between the growing economies of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia and the rest of the world.
Operating within an international regulatory framework based on direct application of The English Common Law, ADGM governs the entire Al Maryah Island which is designated as the financial free zone of Abu Dhabi.
ADGM is ranked as one of the most preferred top IFCs in the Middle East and Africa region and named MENA’s largest Fintech hub. Its progressive and inclusive business ecosystem gravitates toward global financial and non-financial institutions while leveraging synergies between ADGM and multiple jurisdictions positioned as one of the world’s most advanced, diverse and progressively governed financial hubs.
For more details on ADGM, please visit www.adgm.com or follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @adglobalmarket and LinkedIn: @Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
