ComBank’s 3rd SME Trade Fair supports entrepreneurs

Highlights of SME Trade Fair

Nearly 200 entrepreneurs representing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from all over Sri Lanka came together in Colombo recently to exhibit and sell their products and services at a unique Trade Fair organised by Commercial Bank of Ceylon.

The three-day fair at ‘Nugasevana’ at the BMICH comprised of stalls of SMEs in different sectors of business. Several corporate entities that provide services to SMEs and the country’s agriculture sector also participated, while the Industrial Technology Institute and National Engineering Research and Development Centre had their own stalls at the event.

The bank set up an Industry Helpdesk manned by the representatives of the bank as well as government institutions such as the Industrial Development Board (IDB), Export Development Board, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority and Central Environmental Authority, to provide advice to the exhibitors and visitors.

This was the third edition of the SME Trade Fair organised by Commercial Bank to assist entrepreneurs.

The SME Trade Fair was attended by Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge, Chief Operating Officer S. Prabagar and the members of the corporate management. 

IDB Chairman Ravi Nishshanka, Central Bank Regional Development Department Director Chathura Ariyadasa, International Finance Corporation Principal Country Officer Victor Anthonypillai and Asian Development Bank Senior Financial Sector Specialist Manohari Gunawardhane also attended. Representatives of AIA, Hayleys Solar, Hayleys Agriculture and DIMO Agri Business were also present.

Three awareness programmes were conducted under the topics ‘Micro plastics accumulation through the food chain’ by University of Sri Jayewardenepura Technology Faculty Senior Lecturer Dr. Pradeep Gajanayake and Medical Science Faculty Senior Lecturer Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe, ‘How to make your product export-ready and attract international buyers’ by Business Boost 360 International Export Consultant Director and United Nations ITC  National Consultant Upul Dissanayake and ‘Digitisation and Cybersecurity’ by Commercial Bank Chief Information Security Officer Sunari Dandeniya.

A panel discussion was held with the participation of Commercial Bank DGM Personal Banking S. Ganeshan, Chief Information Officer Sumudu Gunawardhana, Dandeniya and entrepreneur and sales, marketing and passion coach Yasas Hewage.