NDB provides grant aid to women entrepreneurs

Director/CEO Dimantha Seneviratne with the 8 winners and CS Committee Members

National Development Bank PLC (NDB) supported eight women entrepreneurs by giving a total of Rs. 2.6 million grant aid to expand and grow their business ventures. 

As part of this Sustainability Project, over 30 women entrepreneurs island-wide were shortlisted and interviewed. The grant recipients were selected based on their potential and the value addition to the Economy, Environment and Society. Key features of their business operations were the integration of sustainable aspects into their daily operations and employment creation for women especially single mothers, widows, marginalised and differently-abled. 

The grant recipients were from Girithale, Batticaloa, Eheliyagoda, Jaela, Katugasthota, Katubedda, Rajanganaya and Kurunegala, operating businesses ranging from craft products using invasive plants as raw material, herbal coffee and cosmetic products, ornamental candles, jewellery, organic fertiliser and paper craft products using natural fibres such as banana, grass, paddy straws, etc.

The grants were handed over at an event held at the NDB Head Office, attended by Director/CEO Dimantha Seneviratne, The Leadership Team Members, Melody Wickramanayake – VP Legal and Chairperson of the CS Committee, CS Committee Members and the regional and branch staff.

Director/CEO Dimantha Seneviratne speaking at the event congratulated the grant recipients and commended them on their contribution to the local economy amidst the present crisis and resultant challenges. He stated that the objective of the Bank was to empower women entrepreneurs by assisting them to progress to the next level.

NDB Corporate Sustainability Committee Chairperson Melody Wickramanayake said, “This is the first time that the bank implemented such an initiative. It was very inspiring to hear the stories of these women who have faced many hardships and challenges, overcome them through their strength and determination and gone on to build their business ventures. These women have also created employment opportunities for other women, proving that empowering women economically creates multiple opportunities for livelihood and economic development.”

Dinidu Iddamalgoda, the grant recipient with the highest rank, thanking NDB said, “This grant is of immense benefit to me as I can utilise this to grow my business and venture into the export market. I commenced my business amongst a lot of difficulties and now, I in turn help other women especially the marginalised in society, by employing them. These women provide for their families through this. I also operate my business in an eco-friendly manner and to me this is more than a marketing slogan since I have taken action to ensure that it is 100% eco-friendly from the raw material I use to the waste disposal methods. Earning profits alone is of no use if you harm the environment. I encourage all entrepreneurs to operate their businesses in a sustainable manner – this might be difficult at the start but this is the right thing to do.”

As a responsible corporate citizen, National Development Bank PLC (NDB) is pleased to support women entrepreneurs and empower them.