The ‘Sri Lankan Sustainable Banking Initiative – Phase ll’ was kicked off in style at the Auditorium of the Hatton National Bank PLC on the 15th of August 2017.
Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) Partnered in 2015 for the ‘Sri Lankan Sustainable Banking Initiative’ with four European Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) led by DEG of Germany (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH) while, FMO of the Netherlands (Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij Voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V.), OeEB of Austria (Oesterreichische Entwicklungsbank AG), and Proparco of France (Societe De Promotion Et Participation Pour La Cooperation Economique) were the other DFI’s.
The ‘kick-off’ meeting was sponsored by Sri Lanka Banks‘ Association together with Hatton National Bank, Pan Asia Bank and Rainbow Institute of Communication and English.
Event participants included SLBA representatives, senior members of DEG representing the partner DFI’s, CEOs and senior management of the SLBA member banks, the Director of Bank Supervision representing the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, heads of NGOs concerned with developing sustainable financing principles, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife, IUCN, and the IFC, as well as other stakeholders.
The event wasr addressed by Ms. Manuela Marques, Senior Director DEG.
“Our experience shows that banks know their internal procedures best and therefore designing an Environmental & Social Risk Management approach in a pro-active manner is the most efficient,” Ms. Marques said.