Pan Asia Bank is partnering with National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka to strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities. In line with the Bank’s sustainable development goals and its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), Pan Asia Bank organised a SME development workshops in collaboration with the Chamber, focusing on entrepreneurs in the SME sector, export-oriented businesses and women-led SMEs. The  workshop  held in Maharagama recently  with around 100 participants attending. It brought together entrepreneurs from Maharagama, Kottawa, Piliyandala, Homagama and surrounding areas, including Pan Asia Bank customers and members of the NCCSL.

The workshop focused on three key areas: basic financial literacy and banking requirements; good governance practices for SMEs; and awareness of SME refinancing schemes and sustainable business practices. By bringing these areas together, the programme helped entrepreneurs make better-informed business decisions while strengthening their ability to engage with formal financial institutions and access appropriate funding for growth.

Mr Jagath Miriyagalle, Human Resource Development Consultant, Corporate Trainer and Visiting Lecturer, brought more than three decades of professional experience in human resource management, sales, marketing, leadership and organisational development to the programme.

Pan Asia Bank’s Development Banking Unit also contributed to the workshop, providing insights into SME financing and opportunities available to entrepreneurs through banking and refinancing schemes. The inclusion of women-led SMEs and export-sector entrepreneurs reflected the Bank’s efforts to support businesses at different stages of development and across diverse areas of the economy. By facilitating access to knowledge, financial awareness and sustainable business practices, the initiative sought to help entrepreneurs strengthen their enterprises and improve their capacity to contribute to economic activity and employment.

“SMEs are an important part of Sri Lanka’s economic fabric, and supporting them requires us to look beyond financing alone. Entrepreneurs need access to knowledge, guidance and the right financial solutions to manage their businesses and pursue sustainable growth. As a responsible Sri Lankan bank, we want to be a partner to entrepreneurs at every stage of that journey. Through our collaboration with the National Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders, we are bringing practical knowledge closer to businesses in their own communities and helping them become more financially confident, better governed and more resilient. This is particularly important for women-led businesses and enterprises looking to expand into export markets, where stronger capabilities can open new opportunities for growth,” said Naleen Edirisinghe, Director/CEO of Pan Asia Bank.

Through its partnership with the NCCSL, the Bank created a platform where entrepreneurs could gain practical insights while engaging with experts and fellow business owners. The collaboration also reinforced the importance of partnerships between financial institutions, business chambers and public-sector stakeholders in creating a stronger ecosystem for SMEs.

The initiative formed part of Pan Asia Bank’s continuing effort to remain close to Sri Lanka’s business community and support entrepreneurs through financial products, knowledge, capacity building and partnerships that can help businesses become more sustainable and better equipped for the future.

Photo Caption:- Representatives of Pan Asia Bank and the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) pictured with participants at the SME development workshop