An Entrepreneurship Skills Development programme was recently conducted in the Wayamba region by the Commercial Bank of Ceylon, as part of its ongoing initiative to support its ‘Biz Club’ members and entrepreneurs in the SME sector.
A total of 120 participants who deal with the Bank’s branches in Alawwa, Chilaw, Giriulla, Kegalle, Kuliyapitiya, Kurunegala, Kurunegala City Office, Mawathagama, Narammala, Nikaweratiya, Pannala, Polgahawela, Rambukkana, Warakapola and Wariyapola attended this programme which predominantly focused on the empowerment of SMEs by enhancing knowledge of business development and sustainability.
The resource person for the programme was Mr. Chandana Gunawardena, a leading speaker on motivation and business development, specifically in the field of SME.
The programme held at the Kandyan Reach Hotel in Kurunegala was attended by the Bank’s Regional Manager Wayamba Region Mr. Upul Dissanayake, Senior Manager – Development Credit Department Mr. Mohan Fernando, Branch Managers of the Wayamba Region and other officials.
The Bank’s financial awareness programmes for SMEs also include sessions on financial literacy and expert advice and assistance from relevant authorities on environment-friendly processes for production, waste management, and energy conservation.
Commercial Bank has been conducting such educational programmes for SME entrepreneurs in many areas of the country even before the launch of the Biz Club. The bank has to date conducted 68 SME programmes which have benefited nearly 6,545 entrepreneurs.
These programmes are supported by the Bank’s 16 Agriculture & Micro Finance Units which play a key role in helping the Bank to identify specific needs of people who require assistance to develop either their agriculture activities or micro businesses, and are dedicated to promote agriculture lending and micro finance.
Commercial Bank’s Agriculture & Micro Finance Units are located in Ratnapura, Narammala, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Kilinochchi, Bandarawela, Wellawaya, Hingurakgoda, Galewela, Achchuveli, Vavuniya, Kattankudy, Tissamaharama, Neluwa, Pottuvil and Akkaraipattu.
Commercial Bank’s Biz Club provides small and medium sector entrepreneurs extensive networking opportunities and a range of other benefits. The first of its kind in the country, the Club focuses on bringing SME customers together in order to create new business opportunities, and to provide them support beyond lending.