The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently collaborated on an informative forum aimed at assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in southern Sri Lanka. Held at the Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa, the event titled “Redefining the Trajectory of Your Business” provided valuable insights into capital-raising opportunities available through the CSE. Specifically, discussions focused on the Empower and Diri Savi Boards, specialized platforms designed to facilitate SME listings in sectors such as agribusiness, energy generation, ICT, and tourism.
With industry experts, investment advisors, and representatives from both the CSE and USAID’s CATALYZE Sri Lanka Private Sector Development Activity leading the discussions, attendees gained crucial knowledge on navigating the capital-raising landscape. Deputy Director of USAID’s Office of Economic Growth, Dennis Wesner, highlighted the agency’s commitment to fostering growth and sustainability within the SME sector. CEO of CSE, Rajeeva Bandaranaike, emphasized the transformative potential of listing on the stock exchange, stressing the significance of innovation and value creation.
During the session on ‘Capital Mobilization through the CSE’, Niroshan De Silva from Capital Alliance Limited underscored the importance of SMEs in the country’s economy and the challenges they face in accessing growth capital. He emphasized how listing on the CSE opens up avenues for new capital sources, driving expansion and innovation. Additionally, De Silva highlighted the role of the CSE in fostering good corporate governance practices, which in turn enhances trust and transparency among stakeholders.
The forum also featured a panel discussion titled “Journey Towards Listing & Life after Listing”, offering further insights from industry professionals and CSE representatives. The event, which followed similar presentations in Colombo and Jaffna, received positive feedback from attendees who found the discussions valuable for their business perspectives. Overall, the collaboration between CSE and USAID underscores a concerted effort to support SMEs and promote economic growth in Sri Lanka.