DFCC Bank has launched DFCC Pragathi, a comprehensive support initiative combining financial services, business advisory and capacity-building for micro, small and medium enterprises. The platform also introduced a specialized financing scheme for women entrepreneurs.
DFCC Bank has introduced DFCC Pragathi, a unified proposition designed to strengthen its support for Sri Lanka's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Building on nearly a decade of dedicated MSME services that began in 2016, the platform consolidates financial solutions, business advisory services and capacity-building programmes into a single integrated ecosystem. The bank has previously partnered with over 10,000 entrepreneurs across sectors including agriculture, manufacturing and value-added agricultural industries such as tea, cinnamon and spice cultivation.
The proposition extends beyond traditional lending by combining tailored financing options with value chain financing, financial literacy programmes and practical business guidance. According to Pradeep Alwis, Vice President and Head of Business Banking at DFCC Bank, the initiative recognizes that entrepreneurs require more than access to capital. "Running a business today requires more than access to finance," Alwis stated, emphasizing that business owners need trusted partnerships and banking solutions that adapt to their evolving needs.
A notable component of the launch is DFCC Aloka - Pragathi, a specialized financing scheme targeting women entrepreneurs within the MSME sector. At the launch event, seven women entrepreneurs received funding through this dedicated loan scheme, reflecting the bank's commitment to expanding financial access for women-led businesses. The bank has deployed over 75 Pragathi Relationship Officers across the island to provide personalized guidance and local expertise to entrepreneurs.
DFCC Bank's involvement in MSME development has garnered both local and international recognition, including accolades from the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific. The launch reinforces the bank's seven-decade contribution to Sri Lanka's economic development through supporting growth-oriented businesses.
