As part of its continued efforts of reviving Sri Lankan industries and SMEs in the new normal, Dialog Enterprise, the corporate solutions arm of Dialog Axiata PLC, announced its Title Sponsorship of the National Industry Exhibition and Awards Ceremony 2022, with Dialog Finance PLC and Dialog genie powering the event as the Official Payment Partner and FinTech Partner.

Organised by the Industrial Development Board under the auspice of the Ministry of Industries, the National Industry Exhibition will be held from February 3rd – 6th at BMICH featuring a range of entrepreneurs and SME exhibitors from manufacturing, trading, construction and more industries. The National Industry Exhibition will be inaugurated in the presence of distinguished guests, including the event’s chief guest, His Excellency the President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister, Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Finance, Hon. Wimal Weerawansa, Minister of Industries, and Hon. Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Minister of Industry, Republic of Indonesia.

Speaking at the occasion, Hon. Wimal Weerawansa, Minister of Industries said, “Supporting industries and SMEs is critical for COVID-19 recovery and it is one of our objectives to enable small businesses to make a greater contribution to post-pandemic economic revival. Powering a stronger recovery from the pandemic requires both the public and private sector to work together, and we are grateful to Dialog Enterprise, Dialog Finance and genie for stepping forward to lend their support on this front. We look forward to driving this initiative on a long-term basis with the combined strengths of the Industrial Development Board and Dialog Enterprise, Dialog Finance and genie to empower and transform Sri Lankan SMEs.”

Commenting, Navin Pieris, Group Chief Officer of Dialog Enterprise said, "SMEs constitute the backbone of this country’s economy due to their innovative and opportunity-seeking nature, and we strongly believe that they will be key contributors in helping Sri Lanka build back better against the backdrop of the pandemic. To accelerate this rebound in small business activity, we are pleased to be the Title Sponsor of the National Industry Exhibition to support Sri Lankan industries and SMEs together with the Industrial Development Board, and empower them to digitally transform their businesses in this new normal via best-in-breed digital solutions. Dialog Enterprise remains committed to facilitating and empowering Sri Lankan enterprises of every scale and sector to reach their peak potential.”

Speaking on the initiative, Renuka Fernando, Chairperson of Dialog Finance and Group Chief Digital Services Officer of Dialog Axiata PLC said,  “The use of digital technology is very important in the context of COVID-19, which obliges industries and SMEs to adapt in order to keep up with the rapidly transforming modern world. Dialog Finance and genie is pleased to join hands with the Industrial Development Board and this initiative as the Official Payment Partner and FinTech Partner to accelerate this shared vision of empowering Sri Lankan industries and SMEs to thrive in the new normal. As the leader in FinTech solutions, Dialog Finance and genie remains committed to offering Sri Lankans and enterprises convenient and accessible FinTech solutions to bring forth a truly digital Future.Today.”

Mr. Navin Pieris, Group Chief Officer of Dialog Enterprise handing over the Title Sponsorship confirmation to Mr. Upasena Dissanayake, Chairman, Industrial Development Board, in the presence of Hon. Wimal Weerawansa, Minister of Industries, General Daya Ratnayaka, Secretary, Ministry of Industries, Mr. Channa Amarasekara, Head of Emerging Business, Dialog Axiata PLC and Mr. Harsha Samaranayake, Senior General Manager - Brand and Media, Dialog Axiata PLC.