NDB and CCC conduct business forum

NDB, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the Sabaragamuwa Chamber conducted a business forum in Ratnapura targeting the tea sector to foster links between Colombo based enterprises and regional businesses.

NDB and CCC officials at the forum

The workshop was conducted by industry heavyweights and specialists. Private tea factory owners and tea smallholders in the Ratnapura and Kalawana areas were present.

Chief Executive Officer of NDB, Rajendra Theagarajah said, "Regional economic growth is vital to propel the national economy towards its growth targets and thus regional business fora such as this contribute to this end. Such fora enable knowledge sharing and provide new learning experiences especially for regional SMEs."

"Today's forum facilitates a dialogue between the key players of the tea industry in the region and several well-known industry specialists and professionals, to share best practices and related insight for further development of the industry. The NDB and CCC place much emphasis upon financial inclusion and the development of regional SMEs and we will conduct more programs of this nature in time to come," he said.

Research Economist of the Institute of Policy Studies, Chatura Rodrigo conducted a discussion on the economy and its implications and opportunities for regional businesses.

NDB officials shared knowledge on finance in the areas of access to capital, long term business planning and business sustainability at the forum, introducing a range of customised financial solutions for the tea sector, especially for tea smallholders.

Improvement of energy efficiency in small tea factories was another topic discussed at the forum, led by the Past Chairman of the Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association (SLEMA) and Director General of National Engineering Research and Development Centre (NERD), D. D. Ananda Namal.

Revelations of a recent study conducted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on the subject were shared with the participants along with useful and practical tips for improvement of energy efficiency in small tea factories.

The workshop closed with a panel discussion on 'The way forward for increasing regional contribution for national economic growth' led by Managing Director of CIC and Vice Chairman of CCC, Samantha Ranatunga, Research Economist of Institute of Policy Studies, Chatura Rodrigo, President of the Sabaragamuwa Chamber, L. H. D. Shantha Lal, Director and Past President of the Sabaragamuwa Chamber, C. J. Gunaseela and Chief Operating Officer of NDB, Indrajit Wickramasinghe.

The discussion was facilitated by Past Chairman of CCC, Dr. Anura Ekanayake, providing an opportunity for participants to raise concerns, expand knowledge and get clarifications.

"The NDB firmly believes that SMEs form the backbone of the economy. It is committed to help this sector to maximise the opportunities in the market. Therefore, in addition to SME lending, the Bank has initiated programs such as this workshop, to enhance the knowledge and skills of regional entrepreneurs to help them overcome challenges," a bank spokesman said.