Digital, international sales key for SMEs post-pandemic: Report
About two in five (46 per cent) small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) are now earning more money than before the pandemic, driven by digital growth and international sales opportunities, says a study. Data from Mastercard’s 2022 Borderless Payments Report has revealed that seven in ten (71 per […]
Topics
About two in five (46 per cent) small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) are now earning more money than before the pandemic, driven by digital growth and international sales opportunities, says a study.
Data from Mastercard’s 2022 Borderless Payments Report has revealed that seven in ten (71 per cent) SMEs are recording above-global-average growth in online sales, while 77 per cent are planning to do more business internationally going forward.
The research, which covered over 3,000 small businesses from around the world, highlighted that 75 per cent of SMEs had to make changes to their business model to survive the pandemic whilst 64 per cent globally believe it has changed how they will do business forever. The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation to tap into cross-border opportunities, with nearly half (49 per cent) in EEMEA saying they now do more business internationally.
Almost three-quarters (64 per cent) of respondents credit cross-border payments with enabling their business to grow, making it clear that cross-border payments will be a key focus for business growth across the EEMEA region, and therefore economic recovery, moving forward. Fifty-nine per cent said they are now making and receiving more cross-border payments than they were prior to the pandemic. In fact, seven in ten (72 per cent) say the pandemic has allowed them to source more competitive quotes from suppliers across borders and 46 per cent say using international suppliers reduces risk.
Stephen Grainger, Executive Vice President, Mastercard, said: “The unprecedented disruption introduced by the pandemic has realigned regional and global economics, with many SMEs looking keenly towards prospects in new markets. With small businesses in EEMEA and across the world growing their international customer and supplier networks at pace, especially online, it’s crucial that financial institutions have the right cross-border solutions in place to support them. Cross-border payment systems must become faster, cheaper and more secure. Through a single point of access, Mastercard Cross-Border Services allows businesses to send and receive money safely and with the certainty they crave.”
Through partnerships with financial institutions around the world, Mastercard is empowering every business to address these issues and improve cross-border payments for both businesses and individuals, said the company.
