Visa offers SME loans

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine enterprises looking for better ways to manage their time and money can now enjoy benefits and savings on essential business services and products with the new 2013 Visa Commercial Offers Program.

Designed to enhance the efficiency of small businesses’ processes and improve their bottom line, the program encompasses more than 60 special deals across business travel and accommodation, travel-related services and business support services, and is available to Visa Business, Visa Corporate and Visa Purchasing cardholders in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) largely contribute to nation building as 99 percent of the registered businesses here are SMEs. This thriving sector also employs 70 percent of the labor force while it contributes up to 32 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Cardholders can enjoy best-available hotel rates with perks. For those traveling on a budget, Visa has partnered with Hertz for special car rental packages offering free day rentals. Small businesses can also make day-to-day business operations a little more enjoyable with discounts for client gifting services.

“Visa has also made it easier for business travelers who are on-the-go to access our services and offers with the Visa Commercial Offers App for the iPhone. This ensures cardholders who are traveling for work within the country or overseas that they can access great business offers to help them make the most of their business trip with Visa’s Global Customer Assistance Service on hand in case of any emergencies,” Iain Jamieson, Visa country manager for the Philippines and Guam, said.

The Visa Commercial Offers App is available for download from all local Apple App Stores across the Philippines.

Regional highlights of the Visa 2013 Commercial Offers program include: Expedia:  Get 10 percent off when you book your hotel with Expedia; Serviced Apartments Worldwide: Enjoy 10 percent off at Serviced Apartments Worldwide; Wyndham Hotel Group: VIP Offers at selected brands and locations, including guaranteed late checkout, complimentary breakfast, complimentary Wi-Fi and room upgrade for loyalty program – Wyndham Rewardsmembers; Dusit International: Enjoy Dusit Best Available rates with a daily complimentary breakfast and late check out until 3 p.m. (subject to availability); and, Hertz: 10 percent off plus other benefits when you reserve a Hertz car with your Visa card. For more information on the offers available visit:  http://www.visacommercialoffersasia.com/.