LDB offers loans for small and medium-scale NCP entrepreneurs
Tuesday, 7 April 2015 00:45
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Small and medium-scale entrepreneurs in the North Central Province received a timely boost thanks to loans provided by the Lankaputhra Development Bank (LDB) at concessionary rates.
These loans were handed over during a special ceremony organised by the bank’s Polonnaruwa branch. The ceremony was held at the Polonnaruwa Bendiwewa Divisional Council Auditorium and attended by several of the bank’s senior management.
The loan scheme falls under the 100-day Development Program initiated by the Government and benefits 100 chosen entrepreneurs in the Kanthale, Aralaganwila, Siripura, Welikanda and Medirigiriya areas. These loans will be given to entrepreneurs in small-scale rice mills, tourism and bungalow development, food and related industries and other chosen special industry categories.
Speaking at the occasion, Chairman of Lankaputhra Development Bank, Lasantha Goonewardena stated: “The bank’s objective is to focus more on developing the small and medium-scale entrepreneurs spread across the island rather than the large-scale entrepreneurs.”
He added that the bank was working closely with the 100-day Development Program and commenced the ‘Siyapath Pubuduwa’ loan scheme in order to create 1,000 small and medium-scale entrepreneurs for the country.
“I believe that these entrepreneurs will be able to get the maximum benefits through this timely effort,” he asserted.
LDB has set up successful branches in Colombo, Hambantota, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Kegalle, Wennappuwa, Batticaloa and Trincomalee.
The management is mulling over plans to expand the branch network in the future. One of the key aspects of this is that new branches will only be opened if a better service can be offered to customers in a particular district.
LDB provides attractive interest rates for savings and a high interest rate for senior citizens’ fixed deposits.
In addition to this, the bank also offers microfinance loans, interest-free payments, pawning services, a ‘Sandaliya’ savings account for women and a ‘Shasthree’ higher educational loan scheme specially designed for the benefit of students interested in pursuing graduate, postgraduate, academic and professional studies locally at internationally-recognised educational institutes.
