Sampath Bank forms strategic partnership with National Chamber of Exporters

Saturday, 22 January 2022 00:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

From left: Sampath Bank Senior Manager - Export Financing Dimuthu Karunaratne, Sampath Bank Assistant General Manager - International Banking Halin Hettigoda, Sampath Bank Senior Deputy General Manager - Group Marketing, Deposit Mobilisation and Digitalisation Tharaka Ranwala, Sampath Bank Senior Deputy General Manager - International Banking Shashi Kandambi Jassim, National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka Secretary-General/Chief Executive Officer M. Shiham Marikar, National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka Director Operations Menaka Wanniarachchi, and Sampath Bank Chief Manager – Marketing Pujitha Rajapaksa

Sampath Bank PLC recently entered into a memorandum of understanding with Sri Lanka’s National Chamber of Exporters (NCE), forming a strategic partnership with the NCE to boost Sri Lankan exports in global markets.

To that end, Sampath Bank is sponsoring the NCE Challenge Trophy for the Best Ethically Trading Exporter, an award that will be presented at the 29th NCE Annual Export Awards ceremony at the Hotel Shangri-La on 21 January 2022.

This is just the first step in what promises to be a long and mutually beneficial working relationship between the bank and Sri Lankan exporters looking to either gain a foothold in overseas markets or to expand the presence they have already established.

Of the NCE’s nearly 500 corporate members, 90% are exporters, while the rest are service providers. As proof of its commitment to promoting Sri Lankan exports, Sampath Bank has identified the value of these exporters and recognised them for their contribution to the country’s balance of payments.

The partnership will make NCE members increasingly aware of Sampath Bank’s many export-friendly offerings, such as programs and services they can use to penetrate global markets. It will, in effect, create a virtuous cycle that benefits the country, the NCE membership, and the bank itself. “Sampath Bank is delighted to partner with the National Chamber of Exporters for the 29th NCE Annual Export Awards,” said Senior Deputy General Manager - International Banking Shashi Kandambi Jassim. “The bank is committed to fueling Sri Lanka’s export drive. This definitely meets the need of the hour for our country and such awards are both timely and beneficial in the long run,” she added.

Underlining Sampath Bank’s commitment to boosting Sri Lankan exports, Kandambi said: “We are pleased to sponsor the ‘Best Ethically Trading Exporter Award,’ a new category introduced this year as NCE’s nod to ethically governed export-oriented organisations. This initiative means a lot to us, as it aligns perfectly with Sampath Bank’s values. As part of our contribution toward expediting Sri Lankan exports and enabling local exporters to better compete overseas, we’ve mapped out a range of new services and benefits to be introduced shortly.” Emphasising Sampath Bank’s focus on the future, Kandambi also said: “We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the NCE Annual Export Awards 2022, and look forward to supporting all your export initiatives in the coming years.”