The event held at Waters Edge, was supported by ‘Anagi’ – the Bank’s portfolio of banking products and services exclusive to female customers.
The keynote speaker at the event was Dr Dilesha Perera – Co founder of La Vivente (Pvt) Ltd., while Dr Saranga Alahapperuma – Chairman of the Industrial Development Board (IDB) Ms. Nayomini Weerasooriya – Founder of Satynmag and Ms Sepalika Jayawardhana – Director – Regional Development at the Export Development Board (EDB) were the panelists.
The presentations at the knowledge-sharing session covered industry insights, details and guidance on setting up an export business and dealing with local authorities for SME businesses.
A question and answer session that followed saw the active participation of invitees.
Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Mr Sanath Manatunge, Chief Operating Officer Mr S. Prabagar, and senior, corporate management members were also present at the event, demonstrating the importance accorded by the Bank to women’s empowerment.
Commercial Bank’s Anagi Women’s Banking portfolio was designed in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), under the IFC-DFAT Women in Work programme, using the latter’s expertise in increasing access to finance for women, an important but under-served segment.
The portfolio comprises of the ‘Anagi Women’s Savings Account,’ the ‘Anagi Business Loan for Women Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (WSME)’ Credit Cards and other products and services including non-financial benefits designed to contribute to the empowerment of women and to help expand their financial horizons.
The Anagi Business Loan for Women Small and Medium Entrepreneurs provides female entrepreneurs with loans for working capital or investment purposes.
Available exclusively for female business owners and businesses with female business partners or directors, this scheme enables applicants to receive loans from Rs 2 million to Rs 250 million at competitive interest rates and with flexible grace periods.
Anagi accountholders are offered a branded ‘Members Only’ passbook and an Anagi shopping Debit Card with exciting year-long promotions.
The Bank has also introduced a Personal Accident Insurance Cover of up to Rs. 500,000, free of charge, for Anagi accountholders who maintain an average balance of Rs 250,000 over a period of six months.
Either a Statement Savings Account or a Passbook Savings Account can be opened, as preferred by the applicant.
Commercial Bank is the largest private sector bank in Sri Lanka and the first Sri Lankan bank to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World.
The Bank is the largest lender to Sri Lanka’s SME sector, and is a leader in digital innovation in the country’s Banking sector.
Commercial Bank has the widest international footprint among Sri Lankan Banks, with 20 outlets in Bangladesh, a Microfinance company in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, and a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake in the Maldives.
Photo Caption Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Mr Sanath Manatunge addresses the seminar (above left), and the panelists and a section of the audience.