‘BOC SME Circle’ to empower micro, SME entrepreneurs

Tuesday, 11 January 2022 03:17 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

DGM Mr. Priyal Silva

With the aim of inspiring and empowering Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, to contribute to the national economy comprehensively, the Bank of Ceylon recently made a new strategic initiative by launching BOC SME Circle.

Being a bank with a commitment towards the nation, Bank of Ceylon understands the role it has to play in order to enhance the contribution micro and SME entrepreneurs offer towards socio-economic development. ‘SME Circle’ offers a gamut of services apart from traditional banking offering to ensure customers realistically understand their needs and has access to the most suitable solution that their business needs. Further, the service is extended to provide required business knowledge and the networking required to build or expand the business.

The ceremonious opening of the newly established SME Circle took place with the patronage of the Bank’s Chairman Kanchana Ratwatte and the General Manager K.E.D. Sumanasiri by invitation of the DGM Corporate and Offshore Banking Priyal Silva and AGM Development Banking D.A.S.S. Wimalasiri, members of the Bank’s Corporate and Executive Management, Chief Manager Development Banking Division Ishara Ranasinghe and officers of the Division.

DGM Corporate and Offshore Banking Priyal Silva said that BOC comes across entrepreneurs who are in different stages in their business cycle.

“Some of entrepreneurs are at the very beginning stage and they come only with the business idea that has potential to grow and they not only require financial assistance but also assistance with strategising the business and building stakeholder network, then there are some experienced entrepreneurs who are looking forward to expand their business. In whichever the case, BOC SME Circle can assist them. By incorporating institutions such as Export Development Board, Small Enterprise Development Division and Industrial Technology Institute BOC can provide an all-inclusive service to entrepreneurs,” Silva added.

Simultaneously to the opening in the very first SME Circle in at the first floor of the Bank’s Head Office, the Bank established similar service centres in Kegalle, Polonnaruwa, Matale, and in Monaragala with the aim of expanding the reach entrepreneurs across the country. BOC has also added the convenience of digital banking to entrepreneurs through SmartPay, Smart Online Banking, B-App mobile banking and debit/credit cards and e-commerce transactions. The Bank of Ceylon has been a trusted financial partner to clients for over 82 years and has been rated as AA- (lka) by Fitch Lanka, to be among the top 1,000 banks in the world by ‘The Banker’ UK Magazine and as the Bank of the Year 2021 – Sri Lanka by the same. The Bank of Ceylon continued to be the No.1 Banking Brand in the country as ranked by Brand Finance Sri Lanka. With the time-tested vision as ‘Banker’s to the Nation,’ brand BOC has delivered the best results for its true stakeholders, citizens and the Government of Sri Lanka.