'State banks should focus on SMEs'

State banks should guide and assist small and medium scale entrepreneurs to reach higher professional levels, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the presentation of appointment letters to new recruits of the People's Bank in Colombo last week.

He said that small enterprises usually collapse due to poor management.

State banks are duty bound to advise and guide such ventures to overcome obstacles, he said. The People's Bank recruited 400 people as Customer Service Assistants representing the Southern and Western Provinces under the 1,000 Customer Service Assistants’ recruitment program of the Bank.

The first batch of 600 entrants from all corners of the island including youth from the North and the East received appointments earlier.

“Banks should focus on small-scale entrepreneurs as they are the backbone of not only the rural economy but also the economy of the country,” the President said.

“Banks should devote themselves towards improving this segment so that they reach the next level of their businesses. Banks have the right to correct them and steer them on the correct path,” he said.

The President said that bank officers should not only be clever but also kind and hospitable to customers. Bank staff should attract new customers while taking measures to retain customers.

President Rajapaksa told the new recruits to take pride in providing an excellent service in the most caring, responsive and professional manner to customers. He called upon them to consider the well-being of the institution they work for at all times.

Under the guidance of the government the People's Bank was progressing and going from strength to strength, he said.