FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – Sampath Bank recently organized an SME Business Circle event in the Northern Region, bringing together small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs and business leaders to discuss strategies for sustainable business growth.
The event took place at The Thinnai Hotel in Jaffna and aimed to bolster SMEs through the exchange of knowledge, enhanced customer interactions, and access to cutting-edge banking solutions.
This gathering served as a forum for open conversations between the bank and its SME clients, focusing on adapting to changing business requirements, identifying new opportunities, and developing strategies to successfully navigate a dynamic economic environment.
Asanka Liyanage, Deputy General Manager of Consumer & SME Banking at Sampath Bank, emphasized the critical role that SMEs play in the nation’s economic advancement. He reiterated the bank’s dedication to supporting entrepreneurs with innovative financial products, advisory services, and digital tools.
Aeshan Buddhakorala, Manager of Environmental & Social Impact at Sampath Bank, led a session discussing the integration of sustainability into business practices. This session provided practical strategies for measuring resource use, managing operational impacts, and implementing sustainable practices that enhance competitiveness, market readiness, and long-term growth.
Additionally, participants were informed about the risks associated with climate change, shifting sustainability expectations, and the increasing significance of sustainable financing options, advisory services, and capacity-building efforts for businesses.
Sanjaya Ariyawansa, a Senior Economist from the Strategic Planning Department, shared valuable insights regarding the current economic climate, market trends, challenges faced by businesses, and potential opportunities that SMEs can capitalize on to enhance their future growth and competitiveness.
The event also included product demonstrations and networking opportunities with Sampath Bank’s partners, such as SULECO (Pvt) Ltd., Markspen Holdings (Pvt) Ltd., and Link Agro (Pvt) Ltd. This showcase introduced SMEs to innovative solutions in automation, industrial technology, geospatial services, drone applications, and sustainable agricultural practices, all aimed at improving productivity, efficiency, and overall business performance.
