Over 100 entrepreneurs receive loans | Sunday Observer

Over 100 entrepreneurs receive loans

22 April, 2018

The Citi-CCC Rural Economic Empowerment Program was initiated in June 2015 with the financial assistance of Citi Foundation to empower rural entrepreneurs through financial inclusion by providing training on financial literacy and business management skills as well as providing micro financing through facilitating links with banks.

During the first phase of the project from June 2015 to December, 2016, the program supported over 400 rural entrepreneurs in remote villages of Udappuwa, Urubokka, Beralapanathara and Weheragala.

The second phase of the Citi-CCC Rural Economic Empowerment Program commenced in March, 2017 has been working with over 400 rural entrepreneurs of 11 Divisional Secretariat (DS) Divisions in Anuradhapura and Galle districts.

These include five DS Divisions in Galle Districts namely; Niyagama, Nagoda, Velivitiya-divithura, Neluwa and Thawalama and six DS Divisions in Anuradhapura District: Nochchiyagama, Nachchaduwa, Galnewa, Eastern Nuwaragampalatha, Thalawa and Mihintale.

The project activities of the second phase commenced in the above selected DS Divisions with an awareness session about the project and assistance offered through the project so that they have a clear understanding on the project interventions and dispel any false expectations from the project. Project staff of the Chamber, HNB staff including the Regional Manager for the respective region, Branch Manager and Micro Finance Officer of the respective branch, CEO of the District Chambers and senior officials of the respective Divisional Secretariats participated in the awareness sessions.

HNB officers explained the details of loan schemes available for micro and small scale entrepreneurs as well as the loan application and evaluation process. HNB officers also highlighted the wide experience,they have gained in working with micro and small entrepreneurs through their Gemipubuduwa program and their capability to extend loan facilities to all creditworthy entrepreneurs with viable business ideas/plans within the shortest possible time.

The resource person for the training programs was a Master Trainer of ILO-SIYB Program, National Facilitator of ILO – Know about Your Business module and an experienced Business Development Expert and the three training programs covered following subject areas.

Citi-CCC Rural Economic Empowerment Program linked the beneficiaries who successfully completed the FIB training module and developed a basic business plan with the respective branches of HNB.

The Citi-CCC Rural Empowerment Program has so far facilitated loans to over 100 rural entrepreneurs during the past one year. 

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