📈 BOC Targets 2,000 Entrepreneurs via Beyond Banking Initiative

The Bank of Ceylon (BOC) is scaling its Entrepreneur Development Program (EDP) to strengthen Sri Lanka’s SME sector. Following the successful revival of nearly 700 distressed businesses, the bank is shifting focus from reactive support to proactive capacity building. • Overall Targets: BOC aims to train 1,500 to 2,000 entrepreneurs from 2026 onwards. The program is free of charge and open to both BOC and non-BOC customers. • Participant Profile: Focuses on SME owners aged 18–45 with annual turnovers between Rs. 5 million and Rs. 50 million. • Sector Breakdown: Participants are primarily drawn from high-potential and core areas: • Manufacturing & Export sectors. • ICT/BPM (IT services). • Agriculture. • Key Knowledge Areas: Training covers financial discipline, cash flow management, digital marketing, supply chain, and taxation. While non-financial, the program guides SMEs on accessing concessionary loan schemes and collateral-free facilities. • Support Model: A dedicated panel of bank experts provides ongoing mentorship via a WhatsApp-based community, ensuring long-term business sustainability and employment stability.