From left: JAT Holdings Director Sales and Technical Wasantha Gunaratne, JAT Holdings CEO Nishal Ferdinando and JAT Holdings Founder and Managing Director Aelian Gunawardene exchange copies of signed MoU with HDFC Bank Chairperson Wasanthi Manchanayake, HDFC Bank GM and CEO Palitha Gamage and HDFC Bank COO A.J. Athukorala 

In order to further strengthen the small and medium-scale enterprises in Sri Lanka, The Bank for Your Home, HDFC Bank Sri Lanka, joined hands with JAT Holdings PLC, where a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the two parties to offer a special low interest loan scheme to support woodcraftsmen and professional painters, who are currently involved with JAT Holdings.  

JAT Holdings has taken measures to encourage and empower woodcraftsmen and professional painters islandwide to successfully receive an NVQ Level 3 professional qualification from National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA). The eligible candidates will be able to receive a special loan scheme, where HDFC Bank is ready to guide and support them financially to establish and continue their businesses. The intention of supporting this cause is to promote and strengthen the local entrepreneurs to meet their demands and supplies and ensure the development of the woodcraft and paint industry, which results in an increase in the annual GDP in Sri Lanka. 

The MoU was signed between the two parties by HDFC Bank Chairman Wasanthi Manchanayake and JAT Holdings PLC Founder/Managing Director Aelian Gunawardene in the presence of HDFC Bank GM/CEO Palitha Gamage, Chief Operating Officer A.J. Athukorala, Assistant General Manager Credit Manjula Dissanayake, Senior Manager Corporate and Development Finance Anura Dissanayake, JAT Holdings CEO Nishal Ferdinando and Director Sales and Technical Wasantha Gunaratne. 

Through this initiative, the bank looks forward to promote local woodcrasftsmen and painters by moulding them to become better entrepreneurs and with a touch of modern business know-how. Not only to offer the financial assistance but also to provide the necessary guidance, proper financial management tips and the correct pathway for them to achieve their level best and succeed in the industry. The bank believes that by strengthening the small and medium-scale enterprises, it could be directly contributed towards uplifting the economy of Sri Lanka.