The 2027 Budget earmarks Rs 67.7 billion in interest subsidies and refinancing to channel Rs 174 billion in concessional loans at interest rates between 3% and 5%, targeting SMEs, women-headed households, rural agro-enterprises and the fisheries sector.
The umbrella figure comes from EconomyNext’s account of the Budget, which describes the credit lines as running through commercial banks. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced the individual schemes in Thursday’s Budget speech.
Women-headed rural families — 3%
A group loan scheme of up to Rs 1 million at a 3% annual interest rate will run through the Samurdhi Bank for women-headed family units in rural areas, Hiru News reported. The President said the scheme reflects the comparatively low living standards of women-headed rural households.
The project is expected to disburse Rs 12,500 million in lending. Rs 200 million is allocated as a first tranche to cover interest subsidy payments, with further provision to follow.
Fisheries industry — 5%
Large-scale fishing operators with export potential, fish product suppliers, boat builders and fishing gear manufacturers can borrow up to Rs 500 million at 5% through banks to acquire modern technology and other inputs, Hiru News reported separately. That scheme is expected to channel Rs 15,000 million, with Rs 1,000 million set aside as an interest subsidy.
The arithmetic
The two schemes Hiru itemises account for Rs 27.5 billion of the Rs 174 billion in lending EconomyNext reports, and Rs 1.2 billion of the Rs 67.7 billion in interest subsidies. The remainder is attributed to SMEs and rural agro-enterprises, which neither filing breaks down.
Not reported
No filing lists the full set of schemes inside the Rs 174 billion, names the participating banks, states eligibility criteria beyond the broad categories, or says when lending opens. It is also unstated whether the Rs 67.7 billion is a single-year cost or spread across the life of the loans.
