Visa Reaffirms Support for Women Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka

• Visa further reiterates the support extended to women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka
• It is part of its International Women's Month observances across the world
• Hosted a special event in Colombo involving women from varying backgrounds

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has reinforced its commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka as part of its International Women’s Month celebrations worldwide. Emphasizing financial inclusion and the digitization of women-led businesses, Visa hosted a specially curated event in Colombo, bringing together women from diverse backgrounds.

“Visa committed to empowering women entrepreneurs, as explained by Avanthi Colombage, Country Manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. At Visa, we strive to be the best way to pay and be paid with uplifting everyone, everywhere," says the firm. India's celebration of International Women's Month sees the hosting of an event by Visa, 'Overcoming Barriers to Growth', organized with Square Hub for incubation and business acceleration.

Five entered the event as emerging women entrepreneurs from diverse industries, fashion, e-commerce, fintech, technology, manufacturing, and agriculture. Discussions and networking with the various industry experts shared knowledge and experience with all speakers; the open discussion and networking avenues led to entrepreneurial ideas on new ways of building and sustaining a business.

Stating that Visa "continuously supports women entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in Sri Lanka," Avanthi dwelt upon the limitations and the barriers women-owned businesses face in accessing capital, networks, and mentorship. She also asserted that women by Visa are vital in building the economy, both worldwide and in Sri Lanka.

Avanthi had her memories of the collaboration between The Asia Foundation and Visa during its 35th anniversary celebrations in Sri Lanka with the purpose of providing grants, skill training, and financial support to women-led small and medium enterprises to help them address pressing challenges.

Supposedly, the Visa funded 35 women entrepreneurs with monetary grants and financial literacy skills in English, Sinhala, and Tamil languages to help them kick-start and sustain their businesses. It also partnered with The Asia Foundation to showcase 30 women's business ventures at the 2024 International Industry Expo, including connecting them to important audiences.

Nevertheless, this is what Visa is advocating with regards to financial inclusion and digital literacies for women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka; they provide tailored digital skills training as well as roll out different other payment solutions by and for women Credit solutions: Specific credit cards for women entrepreneurs with no fees, business loans, and flexible repayment terms. 

 E-commerce support: Assisting women entrepreneurs to set up online sales by using affordable digital payments means. Digital payments for SMEs: Enabling small businesses to accept payments via smartphones, thus eradicates the need for POS terminals. 

This covers more than 50,000 small enterprises and improves their sustainability and growth. Visa will not slowdown in its efforts to empower women entrepreneurs via financial empowerment and digital transformation.