Standard Lesotho Bank (SLB), in partnership with local trade consultancy XPORT, is driving efforts to boost Basotho participation in global trade through the China Sourcing and Global Trade Symposium.
The initiative aims to connect local businesses directly with Chinese manufacturers, helping them reduce import costs and improve competitiveness.
XPORT specialises in global commodity sourcing, with a strong focus on China, the world’s leading manufacturing hub.
Manyathela Kheleli, SLB’s Brand and Marketing Manager – Communications and Sponsorships, described the partnership as part of a broader mission to “ignite opportunity, inspire entrepreneurship, and nurture a new generation of globally-minded Basotho business leaders”.
“This symposium is more than a workshop; it is a gateway to global markets,” he said. “It is led by those determined to drive Lesotho forward.”
Kheleli emphasised that Standard Lesotho Bank’s involvement reflects its commitment to empowering local enterprises, fostering self-reliance, and delivering measurable impact on the national economy.
“We are not just connecting Basotho to markets—we are equipping them to compete and thrive,” he noted.
By facilitating direct sourcing from Chinese manufacturers, SLB and XPORT are helping local businesses cut costs, build resilience, and reach their full potential.
Kheleli highlighted the strategic advantage of SLB’s affiliation with the Standard Bank Group and its close relationship with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)—one of the world’s largest banks and a major shareholder in the Standard Bank Group. This partnership enables SLB to offer advanced China trade solutions and a comprehensive suite of trade finance products tailored to support international transactions.
“Our role is to lead with purpose—to break down barriers and build bridges for Basotho entrepreneurs,” he said. “With the right tools and support, there’s no limit to what our businesses can achieve.”
He concluded by affirming that Standard Lesotho Bank is more than a financial institution: it is a bold enabler of growth, a partner for progress, and a proud champion of Lesotho’s economic transformation.
