DFCC Bank has launched DFCC Pragathi, a single banking proposition for micro, small and medium enterprises that brings the bank’s lending products, business advisory services and capacity-building programmes under one brand.
The bank said the offering builds on its dedicated MSME business, established in 2016, through which it says it has worked with more than 10,000 entrepreneurs in sectors including agriculture, dairy farming, manufacturing and value-added agricultural industries such as tea, cinnamon, pepper, banana, turmeric, ginger and paddy cultivation.
What the proposition covers
DFCC Pragathi combines tailored lending, value chain financing, financial literacy programmes, business advisory services and capacity-building initiatives. The bank said the intention is to pair practical guidance with credit rather than offering lending alone.
More than 75 relationship officers assigned to the programme are based across the island.
“Running a business today requires more than access to finance. Entrepreneurs also need practical guidance, trusted partnerships and banking solutions that evolve alongside their businesses,” said Pradeep Alwis, Vice President and Head of Business Banking at DFCC Bank.
Scheme for women entrepreneurs
The launch also introduced DFCC Aloka-Pragathi, a financing scheme aimed at women-led enterprises within the MSME sector. Seven women entrepreneurs received funding under the scheme at the launch event.
Micro, small and medium enterprises account for a substantial share of employment and regional economic activity in Sri Lanka, and access to formal credit has been a persistent constraint for the sector. DFCC has previously been recognised for its MSME work by the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific.
