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UT's Prince Amoabeng explains why banks lend to gov't instead of SMEs

By MyJoyOnline
Business & Finance UT's Prince Amoabeng explains why banks lend to gov't instead of SMEs
JAN 20, 2017 LISTEN

Chief Executive Officer of UT Holdings Prince Kofi Amoabeng has stated that banks increase their dealings with government instead of small businesses because of the risks associated with the private sector.

Speaking in an interview on Executive Lounge, he told show host Nhyira Addo that banks have decided to take the easy way out by focusing on government loans as opposed to indigenous small holder businesses.

Ghanaian business operators have in recent times been hard hit by rising taxes and have called for a reduction in taxes paid on loans.

They say the lack of policies and easy loans to facilitate the growth of an indigenous business needs to be rectified.

Speaking on the show, the UT Holdings CEO said banks are more likely to lend to the government because they fear to take risks.

He said banks are more willing to borrow to the government at 26% when they could borrow to the private sector at 32% because of they fear the private sector may fail in the loan servicing.

“It is necessary prudence,” he said.
“There a lot of non-performing loans sitting on the books of the banks because of “dumsor” and high-interest rates.”

The Executive Lounge which airs on Saturday’s at 5 pm on the JOY NEWS channel on Multi TV.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com

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