“Steps needed to get more women involved in country’s economic activities”

Sri Lankan women entrepreneurship is at very low ebb and urgent steps should be taken to get more women involved in the country’s economic activities said NDB CEO Dimantha Senevirathne at the launch of the fourth edition of the Sri Lanka Vanithabhimana, awards programme aimed at empowering the remarkable women of Sri Lanka. The event is jointly organised by NDB Bank and a popular TV channel.

He said that the women involved in business in the SME sector is less than 25% and access to credit and not due recognition given to them are some of the key areas keeping them back from being involved in starting businesses. He said that in Thailand women involvement in the SME sector is over 50% and in most families they are the brand winners. “This is also the case in most African countries.”

To encourage local women entrepreneurship NDB extends preferential interest rates and insurance schemes, encompassing life cover and hospitalisation benefits, all available under the NDB Araliya proposition. “Over the years, NDB has provided crucial support in the form of loan facilities to nearly 50,000 female entrepreneurs, amounting to Rs. 40 billion, reaffirming its commitment to fostering their growth and success.”

The previous editions were held in venues such as the Nelum Pokuna in 2021, BMICH in 2022, and Stein Studios in 2023.

“What began this as an awards programme dedicated to recognising and appreciating the accomplishments of Sri Lankan women that have transformed over the years into a national-level platform. From next year we are looking at awarding successful Sri Lanka women involved in business overseas as well.”

As of 2022, nearly 5,000 applications have been collected for the programme, and over 200 provincial winners have been crowned while simultaneously providing a wide range of financial and non-financial support services. The next year’s event will be held on March 8 to coincide with the international women’s day.

The post “Steps needed to get more women involved in country’s economic activities” appeared first on DailyNews.