ComBank Joins Program to Help Sri Lankan Women-Owned Enterprises

• The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has teamed up with NCGIL to take part in a scheme called 'Liya Shakthi'
• Aimed at helping to support Sri Lanka's burgeoning number of women-led businesses
• This partnership continues the commitment by supporting the empowerment of women

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has further reinforced its commitment to women's empowerment and financial inclusion by joining hands with National Credit Guarantee Institution Limited as a Participating Shareholder Institution in the newly-introduced 'Liya Shakthi' credit guarantee scheme, which is targeted at assisting women-led enterprises throughout Sri Lanka.

The launch of the scheme’s operation was performed at the head office of the bank with the handover of the first loan registration, an important milestone in improving financial access for women entrepreneurs.

Representing Commercial Bank at the event was its Assistant General Manager Personal Banking Mithila Shyamini, Senior Manager of the Development Credit Department Malika De Silva and Executive Officer Chathura Dilshan.

NCGIL was represented by its Chief Executive Officer Jude Fernando and Manager Guarantee Administration Eranjana Chandradasa.

'Liya Shakthi' is a credit guarantee product introduced by NCGIL to help women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises that have viable business models and repayment capability but lack sufficient collateral for conventional bank loans.

Via guarantee support provided by NCGIL, Commercial Bank will be able to extend credit to a wider group of women entrepreneurs, thereby contributing toward inclusive economic growth.

The partnership provides access to finance with competitive interest rates, backed by specialized credit guarantees, which is one of the typical barriers to the growth of women-led businesses.

The initiative is the latest in Commercial Bank's continuing efforts to support female entrepreneurship through financial products as well as training and advisory services. In its operations, Commercial Bank has also introduced workplace policies that support women employees.

The bank's Anagi women's banking portfolio designed in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation—also offers specialized products, including the Anagi women's savings account and the Anagi business loan for women-led SMEs.

These financial offerings are supported by capacity-building and digital literacy programmes designed to enhance women's financial skills and business development.