Sampath Bank and EDB organise Business Planning Sessions for SMEs

Sampath Bank, in a recent initiative to support the Sri Lanka Export Development Board’s (EDB) national programme to develop 2,000 new exporters by the year 2020, collaborated with the EDB to host a number of valuable Business Planning Sessions for export-ready entrepreneurs. These two day business planning sessions for export-ready entrepreneurs registered with the EDB were held in the Matara, Anuradhapura, Ratnapura and Colombo districts. The underlying theme of further developing export ready businesses while fostering entrepreneurship was driven forward with the support of the EDB, the bank said in a media release.

Covering key areas of business planning which included financial, marketing and operational aspects, the sessions were facilitated by officers of Sampath Bank. As a result, all participants were given the opportunity to enhance their skills and competencies through the activities conducted at these enlightening sessions.

Aruna Jayasekera, Group Chief Human Resource Officer, Sampath Bank PLC, said: “As the driving force of financial services in Sri Lanka, Sampath Bank understands the value and need for more export-oriented businesses in Sri Lanka. As Sri Lanka’s exports are among the main components of international trade which contribute to our economy, we are happy to partner with the EDB for such an initiative and we pledge to support Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurs and businesses who have decided to take a proactive approach to exporting.”

Director General, EDB, Ms. Jeevani Siriwardena added: “As the EDB is entrusted with the momentous responsibility to achieve the country's inspired vision to be an Export Hub Driven by Innovation and Investment these efforts with Sampath Bank are in line with the programmes we set our sights on assisting in the improvement of the macro and micro economic environment of Sri Lanka through the development of our exports.”

This collaboration with the EDB was conducted as a part of Sampath Bank’s “Sampath Sav i ya ” Entrepreneurship Development programme. ' Sampath Saviya' is the bank’s flagship entrepreneurship development initiative that aims to support the Government to develop the MSME sector as a key growth catalyst for the national economy.