Announces Strategic Partnership with the National Chamber of Exporters

Colombo, January 13, 2022: Sampath Bank PLC recently entered into  a memorandum of understanding with Sri Lanka’s National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) ,  forming a  strategic partnership with the NCE to boost Sri Lankan exports in global markets.

To that end, Sampath Bank is sponsoring the NCE Challenge Trophy for the Best Ethically Trading Exporter, an award that will be presented at the 29th NCE Annual Export Awards ceremony at the Hotel Shangri-La on January 21, 2022.

This is just the first step in what promises to be a long and mutually beneficial working relationship between the bank and Sri Lankan exporters looking to either gain a foothold in overseas markets or to expand the presence they have already established.

Of the NCE’s nearly 500 corporate members, 90% are exporters, while the rest are service providers. As proof of its commitment to promoting Sri Lankan exports, Sampath Bank has identified the value of these exporters and recognized for their contribution to the country’s balance of payments.

The partnership will make NCE members increasingly aware of Sampath Bank’s many export-friendly offerings–programs and services they can use to penetrate global markets. It will, in effect, create a virtuous cycle that benefits the country, the NCE membership, and the bank itself.

“Sampath Bank is delighted to partner with the National Chamber of Exporters for the 29th NCE Annual Export Awards,” said Shashi Kandambi Jassim, Senior Deputy General Manager – International Banking. “The bank is committed to fueling Sri Lanka’s export drive. This definitely meets the need of the hour for our country and such awards are both timely and beneficial in the long run.”

Underlining Sampath Bank’s commitment to boosting Sri Lankan exports, Ms. Kandambi  added, “We are pleased to sponsor the ‘Best Ethically Trading Exporter Award,’ a new category introduced this year as NCE’s nod to ethically governed export-oriented organizations. This initiative means a lot to us, as it aligns perfectly with Sampath Bank’s values. As part of our contribution toward expediting Sri Lankan exports and enabling local exporters to better compete overseas, we’ve mapped out a range of new services and benefits to be introduced shortly.”

Emphasizing Sampath Bank’s focus on the future, Ms. Kandambi further stated, “We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the NCE Annual Export Awards 2022, and look forward to supporting all your export initiatives in the coming years.”

Sampath Bank is a 100% local bank that has deeply rooted itself in the hearts of the people of Sri Lanka. Established in 1987, the bank has become a state-of-the-art financial institution that continues to be a market leader today thanks to its constant innovation and customer focused approach to business. It has introduced many firsts to the Sri Lankan banking sector including provision of ATMs in Sri Lanka, extended banking hours, slip-less banking and touchless ATM withdrawals, to name a few. The Bank continues to steadily transform itself into a technology-driven financial services provider whilst upholding its traditions and values.

Image taken at the signing of the MOU includes (l-r) Dimuthu Karunaratne, Senior Manager – Export Financing, Sampath Bank PLC, Halin Hettigoda – Assistant General Manager – International Banking, Sampath Bank PLC, Tharaka Ranwala – Senior Deputy General Manager – Group Marketing, Deposit Mobilization & Digitalization, Sampath Bank PLC, Shashi Kandambi Jassim – Senior Deputy General Manager – International Banking, Sampath Bank PLC, M. Shiham Marikar – Secretary General / Chief Executive Officer, National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka, Menaka Wanniarachchi – Director Operations, National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka and Pujitha Rajapaksa – Chief manager – Marketing, Sampath Bank PLC