SMBC has received a US$50mn credit line from the Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) to support SME exports.

The loan will help SMBC provide mid and long-term funds to SMEs and their overseas subsidiaries, and is part of a new operation launched by JBIC in 2011.

JBIC explains that given the rapid economic globalisation experienced in Asia in recent years, many Japanese companies, including SMEs, have increased their overseas business activities in order to capture the expanding export demand.