SDB bank Elevates Local Entrepreneurs Through “SDB Vyaapara Prathiba 2025” Trade Fair

29-April-2025

Continuing its unwavering commitment to uplifting local entrepreneurs and opening new market opportunities for them, SDB bank proudly hosted the inaugural “SDB Vyaapara Prathiba 2025” trade fair at F.R. Senanayake Mawatha, in front of Colombo Town Hall Municipal Council Premises recently. The event was organized as the flagship event of SDB bank Rural Upliftment Program, and it was graced by the Western Province Governor, Mr Hanif Yusoof; SDB bank Chairperson, Ms Dinithi Rathnayake; Executive Director / CEO, Mr. Kapila Ariyaratne; and the corporate management team of SDB bank. The fair featured various products such as traditional Food & Beverages, Dehydrated Foods, Eco-Friendly Products, Handicrafts, and Batik Handloom, showcasing the diverse talents and creativity of over 100 exceptional local entrepreneurs.

Since its inception, SDB Bank’s Rural Upliftment Program has been instrumental in empowering entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka. By fostering collaborations with cooperative societies, divisional secretariats, and public and private institutions, the program has successfully nurtured over 3,000 entrepreneurs, directly and indirectly, across the country. As part of this journey, SDB bank organised several small-scale fairs to help these entrepreneurs acclimate to the trade fair experience, generating significant income and visibility through selling high-quality products. Building on this foundation, the “SDB Vyaapara Prathiba 2025” opened up a new market opportunity, new customer segments and good visibility for the products and brands of these small-scale local entrepreneurs, which is the core purpose of organising this fair by SDB bank.

During the event, SDB bank also launched a Facebook community group in the form of a Marketplace titled SDB Vyaapara Prathiba Marketplace to further promote the businesses of these local entrepreneurs. This innovative platform offers them an exciting opportunity to expand their reach and promote their products to a broader audience, creating new avenues for growth and visibility.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kapila Ariyaratne, Executive Director / CEO of SDB bank, remarked, “Our Rural Upliftment Program is more than just an initiative; it is a mission to empower local entrepreneurs through rural community upliftment, drive innovation, and create opportunities for our nation’s entrepreneurial talent. As a bank that values and fosters the talents and creativity of our very own local entrepreneurs, we are immensely proud to support their development in all spheres of their business activities.

Through this trade fair and the newly launched marketplace, SDB bank has amplified its vision of being a developmental powerhouse in Sri Lanka. By creating an invaluable platform for business growth, the bank continues to transform the entrepreneurial landscape, one business at a time.

About SDB bank:

A future-ready bank, dedicated to offering customer-centric and comprehensive support tailored to each individual's needs, SDB bank is a licensed specialized bank regulated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, with a listing on the Main Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange and a Fitch Rating of BB +(lka). Through the network of 94 branches island-wide, the bank provides a comprehensive range of financial services to its Retail, SME, Co-operative, and Business Banking clients across the country. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are deeply ingrained in SDB bank's ethos, with a steadfast focus on uplifting local communities and businesses through sustainable practices. The bank is particularly committed to promoting women's empowerment, sustainable development of SMEs, and digital inclusion, aiming to propel Sri Lanka to new heights.