Ant International, a leading provider of digital payment and financial technology solutions, has unveiled bettr, a global digital lending platform aimed at providing micro-lending services to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging markets through embedded finance partnerships.

Yang Peng, CEO of Ant International, expressed excitement about bettr’s launch, emphasizing its potential to simplify financing for small businesses worldwide. “This is a major milestone in our mission to empower SMEs with innovative fintech solutions. bettr is designed to make financing simpler and more accessible for micro and small businesses, which are becoming the driving force behind regional and cross-border trade,” Peng stated. He added that bettr’s vision is to foster inclusive and sustainable commerce by collaborating with industry leaders across various regions.

According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), around 65 million firms, or 40% of formal MSMEs in developing countries, face a yearly financing gap of $5.2 trillion. In response to this unmet need, bettr seeks to bridge the financing divide by leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI and privacy-preserving computing, ensuring secure and accessible financial services for MSMEs.

As part of its launch, bettr announced its first embedded finance collaboration with Asset World Corporation (AWC), a leading real estate and lifestyle group in Thailand. Wallapa Traisorat, CEO and President of AWC, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating that bettr would provide seamless digital lending solutions to micro and small businesses in AWC’s ecosystem. The first phase of this collaboration will focus on AWC’s flagship project, Phenix, a food wholesale hub in Pratunam set to open in June 2024.

Thailand has been a key market for Ant International, which has supported thousands of local businesses with digital payments, connecting them to global export markets. With bettr, the company aims to expand its offerings by providing accessible financing to empower small businesses and promote growth.

About bettr
Bettr, a digital lending initiative by Ant International, aims to provide inclusive financial services to MSMEs in strategic global markets through embedded finance partnerships. By using advanced technologies like AI and privacy-preserving computing, bettr makes financing more accessible, driving growth for small businesses.

About Ant International
Ant International, headquartered in Singapore, is transforming global commerce through digital innovation, providing a range of digital payment and financial solutions for businesses of all sizes. Through strong partnerships, Ant International supports merchants worldwide to achieve their growth objectives.