Business
WCIC national awards will help SL women entrepreneurs to enter global markets: chairperson
This time poised to select the ‘Best of the Region’ from each province
by Sanath Nanayakkare
Prathibhabisheka National Awards to be bestowed on outstanding women entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka and the SAARC region will be recognised globally, Anoji De Silva, the chairperson of Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Sri Lanka (WCIC) told The Island Financial Review.
She made this comment as WCIC is gearing to showcase the excellence of outstanding women entrepreneurs through WCIC Prathibhabisheka – The Women Entrepreneur Awards 2022, powered by DFCC ALOKA.
“The award is a national award and hence will be recognized globally. This will definitely help the women to market their products to global buyers. The Chamber at present also has an MOU with WEConnect where we recommend women who are able to sell in the global market to register. We also hope to recommend our winners and other high potential women who apply for the awards to register giving them the opportunity to access global markets directly,” she explained.
“As a country we have gone through so many changes over the last 4 years and therefore, we felt we need to re-look at our concept and ensure that the winners of our award are those that have the potential to be global entrepreneurs,” she noted.
“Women Entrepreneurs have the ability to help our economy grow in a sustainable manner. They build companies that are built on a set of values and they create diverse and inclusive working environments. However, as a country we do little to help these women to grow and scale. To us, this is not just an award ceremony. Through the Judging process and after we include all these women into our network and then work with them to be more successful. Some of our past winners include, Abans Pastonjee, Lakmini Wijesundra, Yoland Aluwihare, Sandra Wanduragala, Indrani Fernando, Nayana Karunaratne and Ramya Weerakoon,” Chairperson of WCIC said.
“WCIC Prathibhabisheka – Women Entrepreneur Award 2022- powered by DFCC ALOKA is to be held in January 2023. Acceptance of applications for the competition is underway under the categories – startup, micro, small, medium and large. Each category will have a specified revenue for the year under review – 2021/22.
“Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards will be presented for each category. With a view to identifying and promoting regional women entrepreneurs, WCIC encourages applications from all the provinces in the country in order to select the ‘Best of the Region’ from each province.”
“The participants will also be considered for the coveted special awards – Young Woman Entrepreneur, Outstanding Startup, Most Positively Abled Woman Entrepreneur, Most Outstanding Export Oriented Entrepreneur and Best of the SAARC Region. The ceremony will culminate with the selection of the ‘Women Entrepreneur of the Year-2022’.
“The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Sri Lanka (WCIC) was established in 1985 by a group of visionary women with the main objective of facilitating the inclusion of women in mainstream business activity. WCIC is the first women-only trade chamber in Sri Lanka and is also considered the first in the world. The vision of the WCIC is to be “A voice and platform for the empowerment of women as powerful nation builders by participating in and transforming the economic growth of the nation”.
When asked if the entry requirement of financial records of small businesses headed by women could deter their ability to apply, the chairperson said, “We have a startup category which is under 5 years where they can submit unaudited documents for consideration. These women can apply under this category. We believe they should keep proper records beyond this as otherwise they will not be able to scale and grow.”
The entry kit can be downloaded from www.wcicsl.lk and completed and submitted to the WCIC along with all the material required to substantiate the applicant’s story.
Business
Union Assurance becomes first insurer to earn the YouTube Silver Play Button
Union Assurance, Sri Lanka’s longest-standing private Life Insurer, has achieved a milestone in its digitalisation journey by being awarded the YouTube Silver Play Button, recognising the Company for surpassing 100,000 subscribers on its official channel. This achievement marks a first in Sri Lanka’s Insurance industry, across both Life and General Insurance, and underscores Union Assurance’s pioneering role in digital engagement.
This accomplishment reflects the Company’s unwavering commitment to making Life Insurance accessible, simplified, and engaging for all Sri Lankans. Through innovative content strategies, Union Assurance has successfully transformed complex Insurance concepts into relatable, informative, and inspiring narratives that empower individuals to protect what matters most; health, wealth, family, and future.
Receiving the Silver Play Button is more than a symbolic accolade; it is a testament to the strength and credibility of Union Assurance’s digital presence. In an era where trust and transparency define brand loyalty, this recognition validates the company’s ability to create content that resonates deeply with a growing audience. It enhances the brand’s authority, reinforces its visibility across digital platforms, and further solidifies Union Assurance as a leader in customer engagement.
Celebrating this achievement, Mahen Gunarathna, the Chief Marketing Officer at Union Assurance stated: “This milestone is a testament to the trust and engagement of our audience and reflects our dedication to innovation, transparency, and customer-centric communication.
Business
LOLC Finance Factoring powers business growth
LOLC Finance PLC, the largest non-banking financial institution in Sri Lanka, brings to light the significant role of its Factoring Business Unit in providing indispensable financial solutions to businesses across the country. With a robust network of over 200 branches, LOLC Finance Factoring offers distinctive support to enterprises, ranging from small-scale entrepreneurs to corporate giants.
In light of the recent economic challenges, LOLC Finance Factoring emerged as a lifeline for most businesses, ensuring continuous liquidity to navigate through turbulent times. By facilitating seamless transactions through online platforms and expediting payments, the company played a pivotal role in sustaining essential services, including supermarkets and pharmaceuticals.
Deepamalie Abhaywardane, Head of Factoring at LOLC Finance PLC, emphasized the increasing relevance of factoring in today’s economy. “As economic conditions become more stringent, factoring emerges as the most sought-after financial product for businesses across various sectors. It offers a win-win solution by providing upfront cash up to 85% of the credit sale to suppliers while allowing end-users/buyers better settlement period.”
One of the standout features of LOLC Finance Factoring is its hassle-free application process. Unlike traditional bank loans that require collateral, LOLC Factoring extends credit facilities without such obligations. Furthermore, LOLC Finance Factoring relieves business entities of the burden of receivable management and debt collection. Through nominal service fees, businesses can outsource these tasks, allowing them to focus on core operations while ensuring efficient cash flow management.
For businesses seeking Shariah-compliant factoring solutions, LOLC Al-Falaah’s Wakalah Future-Cash Today offers an efficient and participatory financing model that meets both financial needs and ethical principles. Understanding the diverse challenges faced by businesses, LOLC Finance Factoring deliver tailored solutions that enhance cash flow, reduce credit risk, and support sustainable growth. Working together with LOLC Al-Falaah ensures access to a transparent, well-structured receivable management solution strengthened by the credibility and trust of Sri Lanka’s largest NBFI, LOLC Finance.
The clientele of LOLC Finance Factoring spans into various industries, including manufacturing, trading, transportation, healthcare, textiles, plantations, and other services, all contributing significantly to Sri Lanka’s economic growth. By empowering businesses with accessible and convenient working capital solutions, LOLC Finance’s Factoring arm plays a vital role in fostering economic development and prosperity of the country.
In the upcoming quarter, LOLC Finance Factoring remains committed to delivering innovative financial solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of businesses. As Sri Lanka’s economic landscape continues to develop, LOLC Finance Factoring stands ready to support enterprises on their journey towards growth and success.
Business
TikTok launches guide to combat misinformation during floods in Sri Lanka
TikTok has announced the launch of a new search guide designed to help users in Sri Lanka access authoritative and up-to-date information during the ongoing floods after cyclone Ditwah. As part of TikTok’s continued efforts to promote safety and factual awareness on its platform, the guide will provide verified information to counter misinformation trends surrounding natural disasters.
Users in Sri Lanka searching for flood-related updates on TikTok will now see a prominent banner urging them to verify information through credible sources. This guide connects users directly with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Sri Lanka, from where users in Sri Lanka can access verified information regarding natural disasters. The guide also connects users to TikTok’s Safety Center resources, and provides a direct link to TikTok’s Tragic Event Support guide, which offers practical support for individuals affected by distressing incidents.
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