Business
Sri Lanka@100 and NDB Bank jointly conduct webinar for SMEs on accessing SME-focused lending
Sri Lanka@100, a private sector-led business development platform supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), hosted a webinar in partnership with NDB Bank on improving SME access to various financing schemes. Themed “Impress for Success”, the webinar was held on the 27th of January and was attended by more than 100 participants including SMEs and corporates in Sri Lanka.
The webinar was jointly conducted by Nilendra Vithanage, Senior Relationship Manager of Middle Market Banking, NDB as well as Sanda Wijeratne and Thivanka Bandara from Stax Inc. The session focused on highlighting the key challenges faced by SMEs and practical insights on how SMEs can improve the likelihood of getting their loan applications approved by banks. NDB Bank representatives also highlighted some of the pandemic-related and sector-specific financing schemes that were available to small and medium entrepreneurs as they navigate post-Covid challenges.
The partnership between Sri Lanka@100 and NDB Bank was formed mid last year to provide value-added services and financing solutions to companies onboarded to the Sri Lanka@100 platform. In addition, NDB and Sri Lanka@100 collaborate on conducting capacity building programs and webinars to educate SMEs on financial services and solutions available to them. The partnership will help to expand Sri Lanka@100 Portfolio companies and contribute to the growth of the SME ecosystem in Sri Lanka.
“SMEs struggle to obtain loans especially during these difficult times and end up borrowing from the informal sector at exorbitant rates as they are sometimes unaware of the specific financing schemes that are available to them,” said Sanda Wijeratne from Stax Inc. “We hope this webinar will raise awareness about those financing options and also how companies can avoid the typical mistakes made when applying for those schemes.” Indika Ranaweera, Vice President Business Banking NDB noted: “This event is a continuation of our ongoing partnership with Sri Lanka@100. Even during one of the greatest health crises of our lifetime, NDB has always been at the forefront of supporting MSMEs. These webinars are a part of the Jayagamu Sri Lanka initiative introduced with the intention of being a pillar of strength to the backbone of our economy – all SMEs. We hope these webinars will be a strength towards the SME sector as well as a method to provide our services to this sector.”
Sri Lanka@100 was launched in 2020 with support from USAID. This initiative works with high potential mid-market firms to optimize internal operations, access new markets, and attract capital to help Sri Lanka become a high-income country within 100 years of independence. Find out more about Sri Lanka@100 at https://srilanka100.lk/.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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