Held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), the event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, financial institutions, and entrepreneurs to honour and advance the contribution of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Sri Lanka.
Among the awardees was Sobako (Pvt) Ltd, a valued client of NDB’s Kottawa Branch, who was adjudged one of the Top 10 in Business Excellence under the Bank’s own nomination.
The recognition not only reflects the entrepreneurial strength of the client but also underscores NDB’s proactive role in identifying, nurturing, and celebrating SME excellence within its portfolio.
Representing NDB Bank at this national platform was Nilendra Vithanage, Chief Manager – Zonal Head / Business Banking, who took part in a high-level panel discussion during Technical Session 2 of the summit.
Drawing on his expertise in SME finance and business banking, Nilendra contributed to the discussion on enabling MSME growth through targeted lending, financial rehabilitation, access to export financing, and entrepreneurial development.
Speaking on the Bank’s role in MSME development, Nilendra Vithanage of NDB noted that “At NDB, we recognize that MSMEs form the backbone of Sri Lanka’s economy.
Through specialised solutions, capacity-building programmes, and partnerships such as this, we continue to empower small business owners with the knowledge, financial access, and digital tools they need to thrive in evolving markets.”
The summit, held under the theme ‘Business for MSMEs – Connecting the Entrepreneurs,’ was inaugurated by Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and concluded with an awards ceremony graced by Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Takafumi Kadono.
A key highlight of the day was the presentation of the Top 10 Business Excellence Awards for MSMEs, with special recognition extended to the respective financial institutions supporting the winners.
NDB’s participation in this event reinforces its long-standing commitment to MSME advancement, both through its dedicated Business Banking and SME Banking divisions, as well as platforms such as NEOSBIZ, specialized credit schemes, and targeted advisory programmes.
The Bank continues to work closely with national and international partners to deliver holistic, inclusive banking solutions to one of the country’s most vital economic segments.
As the Sri Lankan economy pivots toward sustainable recovery and inclusive growth, NDB remains committed to supporting MSMEs as engines of innovation, employment, and resilience.