Sampath Bank takes ‘Obe Diyunuwata Ape Maga Penweema’ seminar to Kurunegala
The latest edition of ‘Obe Diyunuwata Ape Maga Penweema’, the interactive seminars hosted by Sampath Bank for representatives of the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, was held at Kandyan Reach Hotel in Kurunegala, recently.
This has been the fifth instalment of the programme, which brings together representatives from the local SME community and related industry stakeholders to better address collective issues encountered by SMES in the line of imports and exports.
Speakers at the event included Inland Revenue Department Senior Commissioner D.R.S. Hapuarachchi, Customs Deputy Director C.S. Achala Chandrasekara, Sri Lanka Export Development Board North Western Provincial Office Assistant Director Manori Kulasekera, Sri Lanka Customs Director General R.H.R.W. Kamalsiri, Import and Export Control Department Development Officer Policy and Research Thushara Walawedura and Sampath Bank PLC Corporate Banking Deputy General Manager Ayodhya Iddawela Perera.
Addressing the representatives of the SME sector from Kurunegala and surrounding areas, who were present at the event, Perera said, “Small and medium enterprises contribute immensely to the development of this country. This is why Sampath Bank, since inception, has supported these industrialists and provided them with the financial assistance they need to develop their businesses. These workshops, which we are now rolling out islandwide, are yet another step we have taken in this direction. On behalf of the bank, I take this opportunity to show our appreciation to all these entrepreneurs from the SME sector for their efforts and dedication in aiding the development of our nation.” The bank’s Trade Services Unit has been conducting the ‘Obe Diyunuwata Ape Maga Penweema’ knowledge-sharing sessions since late 2017 and has already conducted seminars in Colombo, Galle, Kandy and Negombo with plans to hold such forums in key business centres around the island this year.
Sampath Bank leverages its relationships to connect these businesses with one another as well as other relevant stakeholders through these seminars, which bring together a host of government institutions and trade bodies.
While the representatives from the SME sector were able to voice their concerns on some of the minor nitty-gritty related to imports and exports with the other stakeholders, they were also delighted that the responses they received addressed these areas and will support them in their future endeavours.
Established in 1987, Sampath Bank has become a state-of-the-art financial institution that continues to be a market leader today thanks to its constant innovation and customer focused approach to business. Its unique tailor-made solutions, superior services and convenience of access have allowed Sampath Bank to further differentiate itself from the competition, making it the bank of choice for many in Sri Lanka.