Enterprise Sri Lanka provides Rs 88 bn to budding entrepreneurs

The government has disbursed Rs. 88 billion under the Enterprise Sri Lanka loan scheme since its launch in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, a total of 55,000 loans have been distributed so far for eligible applicants under this loan scheme, Eran Wickramaratne, State Minister of Finance told the media yesterday.

Sri Lankan government announced the Enterprise Sri Lanka loan scheme in a bid to support the government vision of creating 100,000 entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka by 2020.

The Minister said further that the government has understood the needs of a new breed of young entrepreneurs and has put in place the necessary financial frameworks to support them.

“Enterprise Sri Lanka will be an ideal platform to create a conductive environment with fair and equal opportunities for the budding local entrepreneurs to contribute to the country’s development,” Minister Wickramaratne said.

In addition, the Minister said the government will be conducting a series of programs across the country to take the message of Enterprise Sri Lanka initiative to the general public.

Furthermore, he said, the Enterprise Sri Lanka Exhibition organized by the Ministry of Finance will also be held in Anuradhapura from July 24 to 27 at the Walisinghe Harischandra Playground.

Minister Wickramaratne said the government also expects to identify and encourage 20,000 youths in Anuradhapura district, which are keen to become entrepreneurs, and also to absorbed them as entrepreneurs in their respective field of selections.

“This exhibition will be an ideal platform for those who wish to become entrepreneurs in their respective fields and to obtain the know-how and share knowledge on enterprise development. Arrangements have also been made through the State and private banks and other relevant agencies to provide the required assistance, advises and training on how to be an entrepreneur,” Minister Wickramaratne said.

This exhibition has been divided into seven different zones enabling the participants to have easy access to the venues of their choices. State and Private bank zones, State and non-State Educational Zone, Green Zone, new inventors zone, trade zone, and media zones will provide the relevant facilities to all categories of the people.