DFCC Bank Launches DFCC Pragathi to Strengthen Support for Sri Lanka's MSMEs
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) continue to play a vital role in Sri Lanka's economy, creating employment, strengthening local industries and driving regional development. To better support these businesses at every stage of their journey, DFCC Bank has launched DFCC Pragathi, a unified MSME proposition that brings together specialised financial solutions, business advisory services and capacity-building initiatives under one brand, making it easier for entrepreneurs to access the support they need to start, grow and scale their businesses.
Building on nearly a decade of experience in serving the MSME sector, DFCC Pragathi represents the next evolution of the Bank's dedicated MSME business, originally established in 2016. Since then, DFCC Bank has partnered with more than 10,000 entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka, supporting businesses in sectors including agriculture, dairy farming, manufacturing and value-added agricultural industries such as tea, cinnamon, pepper, banana, turmeric, ginger and paddy cultivation.
Designed to go beyond traditional lending, DFCC Pragathi offers an integrated ecosystem of financial and non-financial support. The proposition combines tailored lending solutions, value chain financing, financial literacy programmes, business advisory services and capacity-building initiatives, enabling entrepreneurs to access practical guidance alongside the financial support needed to build resilient and sustainable businesses.
The launch also marked the introduction of DFCC Aloka - Pragathi, a specialised financing proposition designed to support women entrepreneurs within the MSME sector. Reflecting this commitment, seven women entrepreneurs received funding through the DFCC Aloka - Pragathi Loan Scheme at the launch event, reinforcing the Bank's efforts to expand financial access and create greater opportunities for women-led enterprises.
Commenting on the launch, Pradeep Alwis, Vice President / Head of Business Banking at DFCC Bank, said, "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. DFCC Pragathi brings these elements together through one integrated proposition, enabling us to better support MSMEs at every stage of their growth while contributing to one of the most important sectors of Sri Lanka's economy. Through DFCC Aloka - Pragathi, we are also strengthening our commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs and helping create a more inclusive business landscape."
Supporting this proposition is a dedicated team of more than 75 Pragathi Relationship Officers located across the island, providing entrepreneurs with personalised guidance and local expertise. The Bank's longstanding contribution to MSME development has also earned both local and international recognition, including prestigious accolades from the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) and Karlsruhe.
For more than seven decades, DFCC Bank has contributed to Sri Lanka's economic progress by supporting businesses with the ambition to grow. DFCC Pragathi builds on that legacy, reaffirming the Bank's commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, strengthening MSMEs and contributing to a more resilient and inclusive economy.
For more information on DFCC Pragathi and DFCC Aloka - Pragathi, visit any DFCC Bank branch islandwide or call 011 235 0000.
About DFCC Bank
DFCC Bank PLC, established in 1955 and listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange since 1956, is one of Sri Lanka’s leading financial institutions. Regulated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and rated A (lka) by Fitch Ratings, the Bank offers a comprehensive portfolio of retail, corporate, and SME banking services, along with treasury, investment, and trade finance solutions.
With customer centricity and sustainable innovation at its core, DFCC Bank delivers seamless and secure banking experiences, which include digital platforms like DFCC MySpace, and through a network of 133 branches and access to over 6,000 ATMs via the LankaPay network.
A recognised leader in sustainable finance and renewable energy initiatives, DFCC Bank is committed to reducing environmental impact and fostering long-term economic resilience.