HSBC Sri Lanka last week announced its partnership with the Lanka Jathika Sarvodaya Shramadana Sangamaya (LJSSS), a development organization committed to empowering marginalized communities, to empower women entrepreneurs in the country.

The joint initiative will provide comprehensive support and training to 150 women-led SMEs, selected from diverse industries and sectors, across the Western, Eastern, North Western, Northern and Southern provinces of the country. The program aims to equip these women entrepreneurs with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to enhance their business acumen and drive sustainable growth.

Mark Surgenor, CEO for HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives, said, “We are proud to collaborate with LJSSS on this transformative project, to empower and uplift women entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka. At HSBC, we believe in opening up a world of opportunity not just for our people and businesses, but also the communities in which we operate in. By investing in the potential of these women-led businesses and equipping and empowering women-entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and resources, we believe it will contribute to poverty reduction, job creation, and overall socio-economic development, and contribute to the country’s economic growth.”

Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne the President of the Sarvodaya Movement, said: “We are excited to partner with HSBC in this groundbreaking initiative to empower women entrepreneurs. By leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we can create an enabling environment that nurtures their growth and helps them overcome existing barriers. Together, we aim to empower these women, transform their businesses, and inspire a new wave of female-led entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka.”