SDB Bank, continuing its mission to fuel national development by nurturing entrepreneurship, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Australian Government-funded Market Development Facility (MDF) to strengthen its ongoing Value Chain Financing initiatives. This strategic partnership aims to uplift Sri Lanka’s coconut, coffee, and mango sectors by addressing critical funding and development gaps across their value chains.

The MoU was signed in the presence of senior representatives from both organisations, including SDB Bank’s Executive Director/CEO Kapila Ariyaratne and MDF’s Sri Lanka Country Director Maryam Piracha.

Commenting on the partnership, Ariyaratne said:
“As a bank with a clear focus on contributing towards the development and prosperity of Sri Lanka, we view it as both a responsibility and an opportunity to support inclusive economic growth. Agriculture remains a vital pillar of the economy, and our Value Chain Funding programme is designed to strengthen the entire ecosystem — not just through capital, but through strategic partnerships like this. We are confident that this collaboration with MDF will yield meaningful results at the grassroots level and contribute positively to the national economy.”

Under this collaboration, SDB Bank and MDF will work closely to:

• Provide co-investment opportunities for sector stakeholders,
• Extend technical advisory services to improve production and value addition,
• Facilitate market entry and product testing for emerging businesses, and
• Offer market intelligence while connecting producers to broader commercial networks.

This comprehensive approach aims to empower smallholder farmers, processors, and agri-entrepreneurs while enhancing sector resilience and competitiveness.

MDF Country Director Maryam Piracha noted:
“With rising global demand, Sri Lanka’s speciality coffee, mango, and coconut sectors are well-positioned for growth. Strategic investment and strong local partnerships can transform these industries into high-value export drivers, creating tangible returns for businesses and long-term benefits for communities. MDF believes this partnership with SDB Bank strengthens our shared commitment to seeing Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector reach new heights.”

Value chains represent the full journey of a product — from cultivation and harvesting to processing, marketing, and distribution. In Sri Lanka, many actors across this chain lack access to capital, expertise, and market pathways. Through its Value Chain Funding initiative, SDB Bank aims to close these gaps and drive more inclusive, sustainable growth across rural economies.

MDF, which has already built strong relationships with key stakeholders in the coconut, coffee, and mango sectors, is partnering with a Sri Lankan bank for the first time through this MoU — marking a significant step toward integrating financial solutions with market development efforts.

SDB Bank has invited relevant government agencies, development partners, and private stakeholders to actively engage with this programme and contribute to building a more resilient and inclusive agri-economy for the nation.