Sampath Bank seminars for SMEs, other stakeholders on international trade

Sampath Bank recently hosted over 100 representatives of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) at the second edition of the Bank’s “Obe Diyunuwata Ape Maga Penweema” interactive seminars on imports and exports in Galle.

Spearheaded by the bank’s Trade Services unit, the event brought together a host of government institutions, trade bodies and other stakeholders to better address common issues faced by SMEs on imports and exports. Sharing its learnings, Sampath Bank also leveraged its relationships to connect these businesses with other relevant stakeholders, the bank said in a media release.

“At Sampath Bank, we are cognizant and appreciative of the contributions made by the country’s small and medium enterprise ( SME) sector to the economy. Right from our inception, we have continued to work closely with them, serving as a trusted financial partner, confidant and advisor. Aimed at sharing knowledge and building partnerships, these seminars are part of our efforts to add value to this sector,” said Ms. Shashi Kandambi Jassim, Senior Deputy General Manager - Corporate Banking, Sampath Bank PLC.

Ayodhya Iddawela Perera, Deputy General Manager - Corporate Banking, Sampath Bank PLC, noted that “We have always sought to look beyond our own commercial interests in our interactions with all our customers and tried to understand their needs and aspirations to deliver the right financial services to them. We also learnt about the issues they face in this regard.”

The seminar in Galle is part of a series of knowledge sharing sessions conducted by the bank across the island. The panel of speakers included Ajith D. Perera, Secretary General, Federation of Chambers of Commerce; Ms. Ku mu di ni Vidyalankara, Assistant Controller, Import and Export Control Department; K. G. Jay award han a, Deputy Director of Customs; Achala Chandrasekera, Deputy Director of Customs; D. R. S. Hapuarachchi, Senior Commissioner ( HRD & IR), Inland Revenue Department; Anura Wickramasekera, Deputy Director, Southern Province office, Sri Lanka Export Development Board and representing Sampath Bank, Ms. Ayodhya Iddawela Perera, Deputy General Manager - Corporate Banking.