How Dh50 billion Central Bank stimulus extension will boost UAE economy

Dubai: The Central Bank of UAE’s decision to extend the duration of the Zero Cost Facility (ZCF) (funds given to banks without interest) of Dh50 billion is expected to boost the recovery of the UAE economy, according to businesses, bankers and financial consultants.

The extension of the support scheme is expected to benefit retail, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and corporate banking customers in need of funding. It will also facilitate liquidity management for banks through collateralised funding at zero cost, for an additional period of six months.

Under the extended scheme, zero cost funding facility is available to banks until June 30, 2021, allowing banks to offer loan deferment to individuals and businesses that are affected by COVID-19.

We believe that this initiative [the extension of Targeted Economic Support Scheme (TESS)] will shield the economy from the impact of the pandemic and place us in an ideal position to recover, once the pandemic is over.

Abdulhamid M. Saeed Alahmadi, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE

Catalyst for recovery

The Central Bank of UAE, the International Monetary Fund and the Institute of International Finance expects the UAE economy to contract in excess of 5 per cent this year and return to growth trajectory in 2021.

Bankers and businessmen expect, the sustained central bank stimulus will be a catalyst in the fast recovery of the economy.

“We believe that this initiative [the extension of TESS] will shield the economy from the impact of the pandemic and place us in an ideal position to recover, once the pandemic is over,” said Abdulhamid M. Saeed Alahmadi, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE.

The reopening of the economy has seen some pickup in non-oil economic activity reflected in the improvement in the UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index in the past few months. Bankers said the liquidity support will help in sustaining the growth momentum.

“We believe this initiative will further shield our customers, small and medium sized enterprises, and corporate banking clients, and provide them with a huge confidence boost as they work to rebound from the COVID-19 slowdown earlier this year

Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim – Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Emirates NBD.

“Emirates NBD stands in solidarity with the UAE government and Central Bank in helping to support and safeguard the wellbeing of all individuals and businesses. We applaud the exceptional vision of our nation’s wise leadership in containing the challenging circumstances of the pandemic, and the extension of the applicability period of the TESS is just another example of their proactive efforts to continue accelerating economic recovery,” said Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim – Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Emirates NBD.

“We believe this initiative will further shield our customers, small and medium sized enterprises, and corporate banking clients, and provide them with a huge confidence boost as they work to rebound from the COVID-19 slowdown earlier this year. As a leading bank in the UAE, Emirates NBD was among the first in the industry to step up and introduce support measures to UAE businesses and we remain committed to doing everything we can to protect our customers, stakeholders,” said Al Qassim.

A prudent move

Mashreq Bank welcomed the development and describe the decision taken by the Central Bank of the UAE to extend the TESS for another six months, is a prudent move that will accelerate recovery and aid the local economy and provide much needed support to individuals and businesses.

Ahmed Abdelaal, Group CEO of Mashreq Bank

“The measures undertaken by the Central Bank will help alleviate financial stress and ensure a smooth flow of credit thereby assisting banks in the UAE better fund their corporate, SME and retail customers. At Mashreq, we continue to develop various initiatives to support our customers across business segments, most notably, helping to restructure or defer their liabilities in line with their cash flow, waiving fees, extending loan repayment periods, reducing cash advance charges and avoiding suspending accounts,” said Ahmed Abdelaal, Group CEO of Mashreq Bank.

To date, the TESS loan deferral programme has benefited more than 310,000 retail customers, nearly 10,000 small and medium sized enterprises, and more than 1,500 private sector corporates.

While we have learned to adapt to the situation, more time is needed for the economy to reach full capacity. By extending the TESS program through June 2021, the CBUAE is sending a strong message of continuous support to the various components of the economy

Varouj Nerguizian, CEO of Bank of Sharjah

“It is obvious that the CBUAE is taking a very proactive and positive approach in supporting the economy in order to minimize the damage from the repercussions of the Covid19 pandemic. The second wave that is upon us worldwide has delayed the full extent of the expected recovery. While we have learned to adapt to the situation, more time is needed for the economy to reach full capacity. By extending the TESS program through June 2021, the CBUAE is sending a strong message of continuous support to the various components of the economy. This new window seems best aligned with the the time required for the various vaccine options – which are showing promising results already – to become widely available to the public. The latest positive market response highlights more than eloquently the positive expectation of the global recovery,” Varouj Nerguizian, CEO of Bank of Sharjah.

Sustained commitment

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) said the continued commitment to UAE Central Bank’s TESS programme to support the UAE economy is a welcome move.

“ADCB continues to support the decisive measures introduced by the Central Bank of the UAE to support the country’s economy through TESS. The bank has participated fully in TESS, offering a package that includes deferment of loan instalments, reduced fees and charges, interest rate reductions and waivers, and rescheduling of working capital facilities for SMEs and corporates,” ADCB said in a statement.

Financial consultants believe the extension of loan deferment will be a big relief to both businesses and individuals.

“Even though a vaccine might be available in the coming months, it will be sometime before the world attains the pre-pandemic business level. UAE businesses will need access to liquidity to survive during this crucial time,” said Bal Krishen, Chairman, Century Financial.

Businessmen said liquidity is key to keep the businesses to withstand the challenging environment and the latest Central Bank move is reassuring.

Adeeb Ahamed, Mananging Director of LuLu Financial Holdings.

“We fully appreciate the support provided by the Central Bank of UAE to establishments during this pandemic period, through its various initiatives. The rollout of TESS has been instrumental in bringing adequate liquidity to many Banks under the UAE Banking System, which has further trickled down to benefit nearly all major corporate sectors and individuals at large,” said. Adeeb Ahamed, Mananging Director of LuLu Financial Holdings.

“The scheme has involved thousands of SMEs and Retail customers and empowered them to access money or service their obligations amidst the many socio-economic constraints. We welcome the decision by CBUAE to extend the scheme, which we are hopeful will boost the lending confidence of the banking system and mitigate the prevailing challenges in the industrial scenario, particularly in sectors like Hospitality, Real Estate, Food & Beverages, Oil & Gas, Manufacturing & Retail, as well as individual consumer,” said Ahmed.