geo/nepal
Washington D.C, June 24, 2025 – One to Watch, which addresses critical challenges in frontier countries, has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation.
"It is with great pleasure that I welcome One to Watch to the SME Finance Forum. As a key player in supporting SMEs, OTW addresses critical challenges such as limited access to capital and gaps in business knowledge, particularly in frontier countries like Nepal and Bangladesh. By bridging the "missing middle" in finance and providing essential business support, OTW invests in companies that create measurable positive impacts across social, environmental, and economic dimensions. Their commitment to promoting socioeconomic development aligns perfectly with our mission to empower SMEs globally," said Qamar Saleem, Head of SME Finance Forum.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of many economies, especially in frontier countries like Nepal and Bangladesh. Despite their potential, these SMEs often face significant challenges, including limited capital, poor access to technology, and inadequate business knowledge. One to Watch (OTW) addresses these barriers by bridging the "missing middle" in finance and providing essential business support to entrepreneurs “We’re pleased to join the SME Finance Forum and look forward to engaging with a global community committed to improving access to finance for small and medium businesses. Over the years, One to Watch has supported promising SMEs in emerging markets by combining capital with hands-on business development support. We hope this membership will allow us to both contribute our on-the-ground experience and learn from global best practices, strengthening our shared mission to unlock the potential of SMEs,” said Suman Joshi, Managing Director, One to Watch.
SME Finance Forum: Innovation & Partnership for MSMEs Growth
The SME Finance Forum, backed by G20 and IFC/World Bank, is the leading global network of 300+ members/affiliates operating in 190 countries. Network comprises of SME focused institutions providing and enabling finance and services- banks, non-banks financial institutions, fintech, payment platforms, development institutions, credit guarantee companies, insurers, investment funds, supply chain linked players, banking and SME associations, policy advocates, regulators, academia, consulting houses, knowledge aggregators.
Our member, affiliates, and associated stakeholders benefit from learning/replicating best practices from across the world, innovating new products for business growth, acquiring risk mitigation tools, establishing partnerships, attracting investors, and being recognized amongst a peer group of global innovators. Our products consist of “members only” solutions (like innovation hubs, solutions clinics, peer group networks, study tours, specialized tools and trainings, member portal repository, partnered initiatives) as well as public good services (200+ publications library, 500+ videos, webinars, newsletters, trainings, annual awards, annual event etc.)
Discover the SME Finance Forum members/affiliates and LinkedIn:
https://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list
https://smefinanceforum.org/about/partners
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sme-finance-forum-managed-by-ifc/
About One to Watch (OTW)
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of many economies, especially in frontier countries like Nepal and Bangladesh. Despite their potential, these SMEs often face significant challenges, including limited capital, poor access to technology, and inadequate business knowledge. One to Watch (OTW) addresses these barriers by bridging the "missing middle" in finance and providing essential business support to entrepreneurs.
At OTW, impact is at the heart of our investment strategy. We consciously invest in companies that create a measurable positive impact across the triple bottom line: social, environmental, and economic. Our goal is to promote socioeconomic development by supporting SMEs that combine profitability with meaningful contributions to society.
Learn More:
Website: https://www.onetowatch.nl/
Linkedin: One to Watch
Facebook: One to Watch
Twitter: @InvestinNepal
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