DFCC Bank loans for self-employed

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka recently appointed DFCC Bank as one of the Participating Financial Institutions to offer loans under the Self-Employment Promotion Initiative (SEPI).

The scheme was introduced by the Central Bank to empower and support the self-employed sector; a key driver of Sri Lanka’s economic progress.

Loans under this scheme will be offered to youth who have undergone professional training in a specific field and wish to set up their own businesses. The loans are provided at an attractive fixed interest rate of 9% per annum, with repayments within four years including a grace period of eight months. Eligible candidates could borrow up to a maximum of Rs 500,000.

Those eligible would be persons who have completed the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) course conducted by the Registered Vocational Training Institution under the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC), the Vocational Training courses conducted by the Department of Technical Education and Training (DTET), National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka (VTASL), National Youth Services Council (NYSC) or the Ceylon German Technical Training Institute (CGTTI) or the Entrepreneurship Development Program conducted by identified training institutions under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skill Development.