FCCISL leads program to support SMEs through partnership with CH17 Loyalty Privilege  

FCCISL President Sarath Kahapalaarachchi exchanging documents with CH17 Loyalty CEO Jumar Preena. Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and Additional Secretary in charge of textiles and SME sector Mohamed Thajudeen look on

The Government has recognised that enhancing national and international competitiveness is fundamentally important for the SME sector to face the emerging challenges and develop SMEs as a thriving sector for the country. The new policy framework of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce – the lead ministry in-charge of this vital sector – will foster small enterprises to grow into medium sized enterprises and medium sized enterprises to grow into large enterprises and large enterprises to grow into globally competitive enterprises.

As a small step towards meeting this lofty national goal, the Minister in charge Rishad Bathiudeen witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between one of the key external partners, the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and Channel 17 Loyalty on Tuesday (3) that will assist entrepreneurs both large and small in developing their businesses supported by multiple agencies both in the private and public sectors.

An initiative of CH17 Loyalty, this program will initially provide many concessions to SME owners to better manage their day-to-day operations through savings on personal and business expenditure, advice on financial management, marketing and sales opportunity, facility for online processes and controls and many more.

The program has put together the country’s leading names in vital sectors such as banking, payment solutions, insurance, telecommunication facility, travel and transport etc., thus forming a conglomerate of partners to help the burgeoning SME trade.

“We have pooled all resources vital for the entrepreneur into a single platform and this multi-channel facility will be available for those who need them,” CH17 CEO Loyalty Jumar Preena said.

The Government is focusing on strengthening the SME to face future challenges both in competitive market environment as well as in technological advancement. This program has made an effort to provide a platform that can provide resources without burdening the State or the agency in any way, he said.

Having successfully launched the company’s maiden attempt to introduce an omni-channel loyalty scheme for the apparel sector in 2013, CH17 Loyalty has built trust and good business relations with a number of leading retailers and merchants who form one part of the company’s growing network. “We engage the brands with our focused communities, and it helps both parties to establish a long-term loyal connection,” Jumar further explained.

The SME Program is supported by Commercial Bank who have been declared the best SME Bank in 2016 by the International Finance Magazine UK for adding value and achieving the highest standards of innovation for the SMEs and clients.

MasterCard is the preferred global payments and technology services company who will also recommend solutions for businesses for the entrepreneurs.

Dialog Touch will bring in their expertise by way of integrating the Travel App and related services in to the Privilege Program, while the market leader in card supplies – Lake House Printers and Publishers Plc – have been selected as the partner for chip-based banking and loyalty card supplier.