Nearly 200 entrepreneurs representing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from all over Sri Lanka came together in Colombo recently to exhibit and sell their products and services at a unique Trade Fair organised by the Commercial Bank of Ceylon.
The three-day fair at ‘Nugasevana’ at the BMICH comprised of stalls of SMEs in different sectors of business. Several corporate entities that provide services to SMEs and the country’s agriculture sector also participated, while the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) and National Engineering Research & Development Centre (NERDC)had their stalls at the event.
The Bank set up an Industry Helpdesk manned by representatives of the Bank as well as government institutions such as the Industrial Development Board (IDB), Export Development Board (EDB), Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), and Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to provide advice to exhibitors and visitors.
This was the third edition of SME Trade Fair organised by Commercial Bank to assist entrepreneurs.
Demonstrating the importance accorded by the Bank to the SME sector, the SME Trade Fair was attended by Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Mr Sanath Manatunge, Chief Operating Officer Mr S. Prabagar and members of the corporate management. Several prominent individuals and heads of various government institutions also participated, among them Mr Ravi Nishshanka, Chairman of the IDB, Mr Chathura Ariyadasa, Director – Regional Development Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Mr Victor Anthonypillai – Principal Country Officer of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Mrs. Manohari Gunawardhane (Senior Financial Sector Specialist of the ADB). Representatives of AIA, Hayleys Solar, Hayleys Agriculture and DIMO Agri Business were also present.
Three awareness programs were conducted under the topics ‘Micro plastics accumulation through the food chain’ by the Senior Lecturer of the Faculty of Technology of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Dr Pradeep Gajanayake and the Senior Lecturer of the University’s Faculty of Medical Science Dr Sajith Edirisinghe; ‘How to make your product export-ready and attract international buyers’ by International Export Consultant Director – Business Boost 360 and National Consultant – United Nations ITC Mr Upul Dissanayake; and ‘Digitization & Cybersecurity ’ by the Chief Information Security Officer of Commercial Bank Ms Sunari Dandeniya.
A panel discussion was held after the awareness session on ‘Digitalization & Cyber Security’, with the participation of Mr S. Ganeshan DGM Personal Banking and Mr Sumudu Gunawardhana, Chief Information Officer of Commercial Bank, Mr Yasas Hewage, Entrepreneur and Sales, Marketing and Passion Coach and Ms Sunari Dandeniya, Chief Information Security Officer of the Bank. They offered valuable insights for SMEs looking to grow and develop their businesses with special focus on next generation of SMEs. The experts shared practical strategies on overcoming challenges, expanding market reach, and fostering innovation.
Commercial Bank is the first Sri Lankan bank to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World and has the highest market capitalisation in the Banking Sector in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). The Bank is the largest private sector lender, the largest lender to the SME sector, is a leader in digital innovation and is Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon-neutral bank. Commercial Bank operates a strategically located network of branches and automated machines island-wide, and has the widest international footprint among Sri Lankan banks, with 20 outlets in Bangladesh, a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake in the Maldives, and a Microfinance company in Myanmar. The Bank’s fully-owned subsidiary CBC Finance Ltd., also delivers a range of financial services via its own branch network.
Photo caption:
Highlights of the SME Trade Fair.
