Business
HNB strengthens commitment to microfinance sector, eyes growth of agri portfolio

HNB PLC, has further strengthened its commitment to the microfinance sector, with a series of enhancements to its offerings, with a key focus on the agricultural sector recognizing its vast-untapped potential as a driver of growth in the country.
HNB reinforced its extensive range of microfinance services with special programmes and strategies for customers delivered through capacity building projects and additional banking programmes. These new initiatives complement HNB’s long-standing ‘Gami Pubuduwa’ (village awakening) support scheme for village-level entrepreneurs. In addition, efforts are being made to introduce technology-based digital banking products across HNB’s extensive product portfolio for microfinance clients.
“We are confident that these new measures will support many of our microfinance clients, as they seek funds and assistance to re-start operations and recover from the devastating economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” HNB Head of Micro Finance Vinodh Fernando said. “HNB remains strongly committed to further enhancing our offering to the microfinance sector, and the enthusiastic response from our customers indicate that we are very much on the right track.”
At present, approximately one-third of the bank’s microfinance portfolio is in agriculture with Gami Pubuduwa entrepreneurs making up a significant portion of the customer base. HNB intends to grow the share of agriculture within the portfolio by the end of 2021.
This would provide an infusion of low-cost capital to the pandemic-affected sector while also enabling agricultural entrepreneurs to expand their operations and projects by obtaining microfinance lending products.
Notably, the addition of new services and facilities is an extension of those offered under one of the bank’s most successful microfinance programmes, Gami Pubuduwa. The Bank has tailored the scheme not only to ensure that it meets the social and economic needs of the country but also that it continues as an economically sustainable project.
Beyond agriculture, other microfinance sector clients stand to benefit from HNB’s latest series of enhancements to its microfinance offering. The bank recently introduced new products (such as micro leasing to the Agri sector), enhanced the skills and increased the division’s staff, and introduced client capacity building programmes.
Business
National Trade Facilitation Committee Secretariat to be established

In an effort to accelerate trade facilitation commitments and bolster the business landscape in Sri Lanka, a high-level review of the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) was conducted at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (7).
The review focused on assessing the progress of trade facilitation commitments and scrutinizing the performance of the NTFC Secretariat. The private sector also voiced their views on expediting actions to ensure the completion of measures ahead of the projected timeline of 2025-2030.
In order to streamline compliance and optimize performance, several directives were issued during the meeting. Firstly, it was decided to establish the NTFC Secretariat under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance. Secondly, immediate measures to be taken to address the staffing requirements of the Secretariat and lastly, the budget allocated for the NTFC Secretariat in 2023, currently under the Department of Customs, was to be transferred to the Ministry of Finance to prioritize pending actions such as the development of the NTFC website and progress reporting system.
During the meeting, deliberations took place concerning the proposed National Single Window, a system aimed at simplifying and expediting trade processes. The participants agreed to expedite the submission of the proposal in a sequential manner to ensure its swift implementation.
Business
PM discusses ADB future projects in Sri Lanka with ADB DG and new Country Director

Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Director General for South Asia Kenichi Yokoyama and newly appointed Country Director Takafumi Kadono held discussions with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Thursday (June 8) at the Temple Trees in Colombo.
The Prime Minister, while welcoming the new Director General thanked the outgoing DG, Chen Chen for the support extended to Sri Lanka during the height of Covid pandemic and the economic crisis. He thanked the ADB for extending short term, immediate contingency support which has helped Sri Lankan economy to recover from the unprecedented crisis within a short period of time. ADB loan funds amounting to USD 380 mn were targeted for enhancing fiscal space and efficient public financial management system as well as strengthening the SME sector with access to finance. Further USD 250 mn was obtained as budgetary support to develop Capital Market.
The Prime Minister made a special mention about ADB’s US$ 333 million emergency assistance to support import of essential items such as fertilizer, medicines and chemicals for water treatment, working capital support to SMEs, and cash transfer to most poor and vulnerable to mitigate the impact of economic crisis.
ADB Director General for South Asia Keinichi Yokohoma, praised the recovery made by Sri Lankan economy and briefed the Prime Minister about the ADB’s mid-term and long-term projects for economic progress and infrastructure development.
Business
ADB provides Sri Lanka access to concessional financing to facilitate sustained and inclusive recovery

Low interest -rate financing broadens country’s options to bridge urgent development financing needs
ADB support now comes in concessional and market-based financing, technical assistance, policy advice, and knowledge solutions
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved the eligibility of Sri Lanka to access concessional financing. The availability of concessional assistance, offered at low interest rates, broadens Sri Lanka’s options to bridge its urgent development financing needs to restore economic stability and deliver essential services, particularly to the poor and vulnerable.
Eligibility for concessional resources among the developing member countries of ADB is based on gross national income per capita and creditworthiness. ADB’s decision was considered based on a request from the Government of Sri Lanka in view of the severe and unprecedented economic crisis that has reversed hard-won development gains.
“ADB is committed to further enhancing its support for the people of Sri Lanka as the country responds to this deep crisis that has severely undermined their livelihoods and well-being,” said ADB Director General for South Asia Kenichi Yokoyama. “The availability of concessional assistance will help Sri Lanka to lay the foundation for economic recovery and sustained, inclusive growth.”
Sri Lanka is now eligible for ADB support including concessional and market-based financing, technical assistance, policy advice, and knowledge solutions that together comprise a comprehensive suite of options to address the crisis. Access to concessional financing will also ease debt servicing pressures through more favorable lending terms.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
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