Business
ICTA, PwC pave way for innovative tech companies to raise much needed funds with minimal collateral
The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), the apex body for Information and Communication Technology in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with PwC Sri Lanka, yesterday introduced a new Credit Evaluation Framework to be adopted by lenders when lending to tech companies with minimal collateral.
The new framework was launched in an event held with the participation of Prof. Lalith Gamage – Chairman of ICTA, Mahinda B.Herath – Chief Executive Officer ICTA, Anura De Alwis – Chief Digital Economy Officer of ICTA, Kavinda Weerakoon, Director – Deals, PwC Sri Lanka, Ashok Goonesekere Chief Risk Officer DFCC Bank, Indika Ranaweera, Vice President – SME, Middle Market & Business Banking, NDB Bank and Kanishka Weeramunda, Founder/CEO of Paymedia (Pvt) Ltd. a technology company who has successfully gone through the evaluation process.
Expansion of a tech company is a daunting process due to challenges in obtaining debt facilities, as traditional credit evaluation methods require borrowers to provide tangible collateral in order to be eligible for a business loan. Furthermore, technology companies are evaluated using existing generic credit evaluation frameworks, which have inherent shortcomings in evaluating the merits and demerits of a technology company. Against this backdrop, the launched framework becomes an alternative mechanism for the traditional framework. The new framework has been built around four pillars, namely; Founder, Market, Product, and Financials and has thus provided technology companies to be evaluated on quantitative and qualitative factors that are most relevant to them.
The framework has been formulated with the due support and consultation from an industry-leading steering committee which consisted of Mr. Mangala Karunaratne – CEO, Calcey Technologies (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Chalinda Abeykoon – CEO, Lankan Angel Network, Mr. Nilendra Weerasinghe – Head – Chief Corporate Advisory Officer, NDB Investment Bank Limited, Mr. Wellington Perera – Director, Cemex Software(Pvt.)Ltd., Ms. Jayomi Lokuliyana – CEO, ZMessenger (Pvt) Ltd.
Commenting on the new framework, ICTA Chairman Prof. Lalith Gamage said, “ICTA, as the apex body for IT industry, is proud to launch this novel credit evaluation method, which is a timely approach to support emerging tech startups and existing tech companies to expand their businesses at a time when the tech startup ecosystem started to revive the country’s economy, it is vital to extend financial support for the growth of these tech companies, also considering their huge export capacity. This alternative credit evaluation process will enable tech companies to access funding without the need to rely on personal collateral”.
It is noteworthy that the framework has been designed with the recommendations of credit evaluation officers from several banks in order to streamline the mechanism further. Seylan Bank, DFCC Bank, Union Bank, and NDB bank have already expressed their willingness to consider the new framework when assessing technology companies for debt financing.
Chief Digital Economy Officer of ICTA, Anura De Alwis, said, “Technology industry is core to the country’s economic growth with the highest potential for employment opportunities. But most tech companies are faced with difficulties in obtaining loans due to a lack of physical collateral. Moreover, the pandemic has forced many challenges for tech companies, derailing the growth to some extent. In this background, the new framework launched with PwC will play a crucial role in boosting the tech industry. We are thankful to PwC for partnering with us to design the new framework and for the expert advice and guidance from the steering committee in making the whole process a success.”
Kavinda Weerakoon, Director – Deals at PwC Sri Lanka, expressed, “Technology enterprises are generally underserved by banks which create a funding gap for these businesses. We are thankful for ICTA in pioneering this valuable initiative and having PwC onboard. PwC brought in deep banking sector insight from a cross-functional team of experts to develop this framework. We are optimistic that this framework will act as a catalyst for lending institutions to provide flexible and innovative financing facilities to develop high-impact technology-driven sectors of the economy.”
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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