Business

WEBXPAY partners Australian government to empower Sri Lankan MSMEs with digital payments

Published

5 years ago

2021/10/21

Leading online payment gateway, WEBXPAY announced a milestone partnership with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to significantly expand access to digital payments for Sri Lankan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

The DFAT Partnership for Recovery is part of a series aimed at promoting regional economic recovery. Leveraging WEBXPAY’s ground-breaking payment gateway and integrated e-commerce solutions, the initiative aims to empower MSMEs across the island to plug in and benefit from Sri Lanka’s burgeoning digital ecosystem, with a special emphasis on gender and social inclusion.

“We are pleased to partner with WEBXPAY, to aid small and medium sized businesses in Sri Lanka, including women led enterprises, to have access to a safe and convenient way to accept card and mobile payments from domestic and international consumers.

“In addition to strengthening their financial and digital literacy skills, this partnership will also support MSMEs to continue to trade through the pandemic by taking their businesses online. It will also help them be more competitive in the digital economy in future. By supporting MSMEs to formally register, develop their online presence and plan promotions they can better sustain their business operations and be resilient to economic shocks,” Australian Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka Amanda Jewell said.

By supporting small business to accept cashless payments and take their enterprises online, WEBXPAY and DFAT aim to support a rapid revitalisation of Sri Lanka’s rural economies that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. This will help to increase MSMEs’ incomes by reaching existing and new customers – and even export their products – all whilst strengthening their financial and digital literacy.

Throughout the programme, WEBXPAY will provide support the MSMEs to formally register, develop their online business and plan promotions to sustain the business. As a result, MSMEs will be able to track online sales, generate payment links, and maintain a database of their customers on the platform.

“The MSME sector touches the lives of every Sri Lankan. These enterprises are what keep the grassroots of our economy alive, but over the past year, most have faced a period of extreme difficulty. We are therefore grateful to the Australian Government and its people for not simply extending a much needed helping hand, but also doing so in a manner that could potentially lead to a new era of sustainable, grassroots-led economic growth,” WEBXPAY CEO & Founder Omar Sahib said.

Sahib noted that while traditional business models suffered, Sri Lankan e-commerce and online businesses have flourished during the pandemic. However, these opportunities have largely been confined to Colombo, the Western Province and a few other urban centers. Given their lack of experience and expertise with these new modes of business, rural MSMEs have usually been cut off from the ability to monetise on the surging demand for online services.

Sri Lanka’s MSME’s account for more than 90% of the total establishments in the country, in addition to being the source of 45% of all employment and accounting for 52% of GDP. However, the majority of these MSMEs are informal businesses. As a result, they tend to be reliant on daily cash-based sales and often lack planning and management skills. During the pandemic, this has led to an unprecedented disruption in daily operations.

Over the duration of the programme, WEBXPAY will also be carefully monitoring and researching the impact of these initiatives with a particular focus on its effectiveness in improving standards of living for rural communities, while also creating tangible positive benefits at a macroeconomic scale. In addition to creating new job opportunities and helping to eradicate unemployment in rural Sri Lanka, the programme will also measure its impact in terms of supporting financially independent female entrepreneurs. Additionally, the programme’s digital-first approach is also expected to help reduce carbon-emissions while promoting vibrant grassroots economic growth.

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Business

Indo-Sri Lanka Chambers forge alliance to drive infrastructure and real estate investment

Published

5 hours ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

The exchange of the MoU between the two organisations

By Sanath Nanayakkare

In a major boost to bilateral economic ties, the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka (CCISL) and the Indo–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ISCCI) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in real estate, infrastructure, and urban development.

The agreement establishes a formal framework for both institutions to drive collaborative initiatives, including business delegations, high-level conferences, workshops, B2B matchmaking sessions, and technical site visits. Designed to bridge businesses, government institutions, and project stakeholders across the Palk Strait, the partnership aims to unlock new avenues for cross-border joint ventures and technology transfers.

A focal point of this newly minted partnership is the facilitation of an upcoming trade delegation from the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) of India. Comprising major Indian players in the real estate and infrastructure sectors, the visiting delegation will engage in targeted business meetings, workshops, and inspection tours of prominent construction projects in Sri Lanka.

Under the terms of the MoU, CCISL will serve as the principal host coordinator in Sri Lanka. In close consultation with ISCCI, the apex construction body will curate itineraries, identify viable projects for engagement, and facilitate high-level dialogues with key government agencies, regulatory bodies, and industry leaders.

With both nations prioritizing sustainable urban growth, modern construction technologies, and infrastructure expansion, industry leaders view the partnership as a timely catalyst for economic rejuvenation. The collaboration is anticipated to accelerate market access, knowledge exchange, and foreign direct investment into Sri Lanka’s burgeoning property and development sectors.

To ensure the success of the upcoming NAREDCO delegation, CCISL has issued an urgent appeal to statutory authorities and relevant project owners to come forward with viable investment proposals. Stakeholders holding projects seeking foreign investment or technical partnerships are invited to submit comprehensive details to the Secretary General and CEO of CCISL via email at secyces@gmail.com.

Both chambers emphasize that translating this foundational agreement into tangible partnerships and robust capital flows will significantly strengthen bilateral connectivity between the construction and real estate sectors of India and Sri Lanka.

Business

Hettich celebrates a decade in Sri Lanka with partner meet in Colombo

Published

5 hours ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

Over the past decade, Hettich has strengthened its presence in Sri Lanka through its focus on German engineering, innovation, quality and functionality

Hettich, the globally renowned German manufacturer of furniture fittings and architectural hardware known for its state-of-the-art manufacturing plants and magical interior solutions across the world celebrated a significant milestone in Sri Lanka, marking 10 years of presence in the country with its inaugural Partner Meet in Colombo.

The landmark event brought together Hettich’s key partners, stakeholders and industry leaders to celebrate a decade of growth, collaboration and shared success, while reaffirming the company’s long-term commitment to the Sri Lankan market.

Over the past decade, Hettich has strengthened its presence in Sri Lanka through its focus on German engineering, innovation, quality and functionality, contributing to the creation of contemporary and intelligently designed living and working spaces across the country.

The gala evening was graced by a distinguished delegation of senior leaders, including Dr. Andreas Hettich, Chairman, Hettich Group Advisory Board; S. K. Poddar, Chairman, Hettich India & Adventz Group; Mr. Akshay Poddar, Director, Hettich India; Andre Eckholt, Managing Director, Hettich India, SAARC, Middle East & Africa; Rahul Thakkar, Director – Sales, Hettich India & SAARC; and Dinusha Bhaskaran, Managing Director, Vallibel One PLC.

Business

GS Evo Motors launches all-new JMEV EWIND

Published

5 hours ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

Priyantha Perera, Chief Executive Officer of GS Evo Motors (left), and Sunil Wettasinghe, Chairman of GS Evo Motors, introducing the latest JMEV Ewind Electric SUV to the local market

GS Evo Motors Limited, the authorized distributor of JMEV electric vehicles in Sri Lanka, has officially launched the JMEV EWIND, a next-generation compact electric SUV. The vehicle is designed to offer strong performance, intelligent technology, premium comfort, and high safety standards, marking another milestone in Sri Lanka’s growing electric mobility sector.

The EWIND features a sleek, aerodynamic exterior with penetrating LED daytime running lights, trapezoidal chain-inspired LED tail lamps, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a bold silhouette. Inside, it offers a spacious cabin with a panoramic moonroof and retractable curtain, an ultra-thin suspended instrument panel, a D-shaped multifunction steering wheel, multi-colour ambient lighting, premium finishes, and electrically adjustable front seats.

The SUV is available in single-motor front-wheel drive configurations, producing up to 108 kW and 210 Nm, with 0–100 km/h acceleration in 8.9 seconds.