Berendina Micro Investments expands outreach in Batticaloa

Berendina Micro Investments Co. Ltd opened t wo new branches in Kaluwanchikudy and Aarayampathy of the Batticaloa District recently. The new branches were officially open by Berendina Group Chairman Dulan de Silva.

The chief guest at the opening of the Kalawanchikidudy branch was Divisional Secretary M. Gopalaretnam. Also present at the opening ceremonies were Plan International Batticaloa District Head of Programmes David Sadanandan, Palm East Project Manager S. Panweerselvam, Berendina Development Services General Manager Eroshan Alagaretnam, Berendina Microfinance Institute Batticaloa Area Manager Rajany Yoganathan, newly appointed Kalawanchikudy and Arayampathy Branch Managers Ajithsiri and Vithurshana and Berendina Development Services Manager Batticaloa District Kushanth Benedict.

A number of heads of rural development societies and women’s development societies in t he area also participated at the opening ceremonies.

Berendina Micro Investments Co. Ltd was established in January 2015 in parallel t o t he already established Berendina Microfinance Institute (BMI) to provide more efficient services to deserving microfinance clients.

The BMI currently operates a successful branch in Valachanei of the Batticaloa District, which since establishment in December 2013 has seen a total loan disbursement of Rs.78 million with 2,710 active borrowers. The total loan outstanding portfolio as at March 31, 2015 at BMI’s Valachanei branch was Rs.64 million.