SDB bank elevates local entrepreneurs

• Hosts SDB Vyaapara Prathiba 2025 trade fair 

Continuing its unwavering commitment to uplifting local entrepreneurs and opening new market opportunities for them, SDB bank hosted the inaugural SDB Vyaapara Prathiba 2025 trade fair at F.R. Senanayake Mawatha, in front of Colombo Town Hall Municipal Council premises recently. 

The event was organised as the flagship event of SDB bank Rural Upliftment Programme and it was graced by Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof, SDB bank Chairperson Dinithi Rathnayake, Executive Director/CEO Kapila Ariyaratne and the corporate management team of SDB bank. 

The fair featured various products such as traditional food and beverages, dehydrated foods, eco-friendly products, handicrafts and batik handloom, showcasing the diverse talents and creativity of over 100 exceptional local entrepreneurs.  

Since its inception, SDB Bank’s Rural Upliftment Programme has been instrumental in empowering entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka. By fostering collaborations with co-operative societies, divisional secretariats and public and private institutions, the programme has successfully nurtured over 3,000 entrepreneurs, directly and indirectly, across the country. As part of this journey, SDB bank organised several small-scale fairs to help these entrepreneurs acclimate to the trade fair experience, generating significant income and visibility through selling high-quality products. Building on this foundation, SDB Vyaapara Prathiba 2025 opened up a new market opportunity, new customer segments and good visibility for the products and brands of these small-scale local entrepreneurs, which is the core purpose of organising this fair by SDB bank.  

During the event, SDB bank also launched a Facebook community group in the form of a marketplace titled SDB Vyaapara Prathiba Marketplace to further promote the businesses of these local entrepreneurs. This innovative platform offers them an exciting opportunity to expand their reach and promote their products to a broader audience. 

Ariyaratne remarked, “Our Rural Upliftment Programme is more than just an initiative; it is a mission to empower local entrepreneurs through rural community upliftment, drive innovation and create opportunities for our nation’s entrepreneurial talent. As a bank that values and fosters the talents and creativity of our very own local entrepreneurs, we are immensely proud to support their development in all spheres of their business activities.”