HNB concludes Gami Pubuduwa Avurudu Pola with resounding success

The Gami Pubuduwa Avurudu Pola, the annual SME focused trade fair organised by Sri Lanka’s premier private sector bank, Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB), was concluded with resounding success as over 100 micro entrepreneurs from across the island converged at the BMICH in Colombo.

HNB Managing Director/CEO Jonathan Alles graced the event as the chief guest at the ceremonial opening of the trade fair, accompanied by the Netherlands Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Joanne Doornewaard, Sanasa Development Bank Chairperson Samadanie Kiriwandeniya, together with representatives of HNB’s senior management, HNB Deputy General Manager – SME and Midmarket Jude Fernando, along with members of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Export Development Board.

A large gathering attended the Gami Pubuduwa Avurudu Pola which took place from 7 to 8 April at BMICH, with a multitude of stalls which were set up to showcase the extensive range of products, from vegetables and fruits, to Ayurvedic products, handcrafts, electronic appliances brass products etc, thereby cultivating vibrant new opportunities for the country’s growing contingent of micro entrepreneurs and rural industries.

Speaking at the event, HNB Managing Director/CEO Jonathan Alles said, “Since its inception, Gami Pubuduwa has become Sri Lanka’s most successful microfinance program implemented by a commercial bank. Through this imitative, HNB financially strengthens micro entrepreneurs of the country and help them to take their products and goods to customers by establishing direct links between them.”

Expressing her views, Joanne Doornewaard, the Netherlands Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives said, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to HNB for promoting events like Gami Pubuduwa, which helps to nurture a strong eco system of micro entrepreneurs. It is encouraging to see financial institutes like HNB engaging in the process of creating new opportunities for these entrepreneurs in order to encourage them and offer them sustainable long term benefits. It is also important that HNB is promoting micro finance for women entrepreneurs of the country, which is an important step in helping them to enter the labour market and empower their families.”

HNB Deputy General Manager – SME and Midmarket Jude Fernando said, “Avurudu Pola, which goes beyond the traditional pola or market concept, has opened up a world of possibilities for Sri Lankan micro entrepreneurs over the years with their products being sold in overseas markets as well. Turning a new leaf this year, HNB has brought thousands of Gami Pubuduwa entrepreneurs and their products to one place, creating a single marketplace with a whole range of new opportunities for them.”