People’s Bank-IFC strengthen MSMEs, women entrepreneurs

People’s Bank, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is working towards strengthening the financial awareness and financial literacy of the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and women entrepreneurs by coordinating a series of special customer awareness programmes and women entrepreneurship development programmes. 
These programmes were conducted in areas, including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kegalle, Puttalam, Kurunegala, Kalutara and Colombo, in February and March this year. The training covered topics focusing on business plans during a crisis and on women empowerment and financial management, which was exclusively catered towards women entrepreneurs. 
The sessions were facilitated by Master of Training for IFC Lalinda Wickramarathne, with the participation of respective regional managers, senior managers and regional credit unit staff of People’s Bank.

This joint initiative aimed to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with access to crucial resources, including mentoring, training and financial support. In addition, the collaboration focused on facilitating access to finance for the MSMEs and women entrepreneurs via innovative financial solutions.