KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) has collaborated with SME Credit Bureau Sdn Bhd (SMECB) to facilitate the former's access to the latter's credit information and credit ratings on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The agreement also sees TM sharing its SME customers' payment data with SMECB, albeit with their consent.

TM's executive vice president, SME, Shanti Jusnita Johari, said the availability of accurate credit information and credit ratings would enable TM to expedite the approval process of telecommunication facilities for the SME community.

"We can now get fast and hassle-free access to comprehensive information of our potential SME customers and their credit ratings," she told reporters after the signing ceremony between both parties here Tuesday.

TM SME has about 450,000 customers.

Meanwhile, SMECB chief executive officer, Alex Lim, said the collaboration would benefit SMEs, especially the start-ups, in accessing credit facilities from financial institutions.

"The data from TM will show the payment pattern of the SMEs for the telecom facilities, and they (SMEs) can use this as a reference in getting the credit line from banks," he said.

He said the reason for the agreement was not to look at the negative aspect of an SME's credit rating but rather to share a balanced view of them, and ultimately benefitting the macro economy at large.

SMECB is a subsidiary of Corporate Guarantee Corp and has 28,000 SME members and 38 financial institution members.

-- BERNAMA