NDB Bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s exporters by hosting a successful Exporter Forum in Kandy, bringing together exporters, business leaders, and key stakeholders to share insights and explore strategies to drive the nation’s export growth.
Part of NDB’s ongoing series of regional engagements, the forum aimed to assist both SMEs and established exporters with financial solutions, advisory services, and practical knowledge to expand their presence in global markets. The event also highlighted NDB’s role as a trusted partner for exporters in navigating challenges and capitalizing on emerging opportunities.
Delivering the keynote address, Indika Ranaweera, Vice President – SME, Middle Markets and Business Banking at NDB, highlighted Sri Lanka’s export performance and emphasized the critical role of SMEs. He noted that while merchandise exports grew 15.37% year-on-year in July 2025, SME contributions remain low at just 5%—significantly behind regional peers like India and Pakistan. Ranaweera stressed the importance of addressing barriers such as limited access to finance, low investment in R&D, and capacity-building gaps to enable greater SME participation in exports.
Adding to the discussion, Chamara Jayalath, Director at the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), shared national initiatives aimed at enhancing exporter competitiveness. He outlined policies to expand market access, streamline export procedures, and strengthen SME capabilities, offering participants a clear view of institutional support available to align with global trade demands.
The forum also featured a panel discussion led by Indika Ranaweera, alongside Surith Priyawansa, Assistant Vice President – Treasury, and Nilendra Vithanage, Chief Manager and Zonal Head – Business Banking. The panel provided actionable insights into financial instruments and risk-mitigation tools critical for exporters operating in volatile international markets.
The event concluded with an interactive session where exporters shared experiences, asked questions, and connected directly with NDB’s leadership and the EDB representative, ensuring practical solutions were discussed for real-world challenges.
Through initiatives like the Exporter Forum, NDB Bank continues to strengthen Sri Lanka’s export ecosystem by providing tailored financial solutions, advisory services, and platforms for knowledge exchange. As the country advances its export-led growth strategy, NDB remains committed to fostering opportunity, competitiveness, and long-term success for Sri Lankan businesses.
NDB Bank, the fourth-largest listed commercial bank in Sri Lanka, was recognized as Sri Lanka’s Best Digital Bank for SMEs at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025. The bank also received the Domestic Retail Bank of the Year – Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Domestic Project Finance Bank of the Year awards from Asian Banking and Finance Magazine (Singapore) in 2024. As the parent company of the NDB Group, it offers integrated banking and capital market services, delivering financial empowerment through innovative digital solutions.
