Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on November 2 visited Sri Lanka’s eastern port town of Trincomalee where she opened a branch of the State Bank of India and appreciated its role in supporting corporates in international trade.
Sitharaman, who is in the country on a three-day visit, started her day by visiting the main Hindu Temple in the multi-ethnic city to pay homage to it before opening a branch of the State Bank of India in Trincomalee.
Senthil Thondaman, the Governor of Eastern Province, Gopal Baglay, India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and Chairman SBI Dinesh Khara were also present at the inauguration.
After inaugurating the branch, Sitharaman appreciated that SBI, with its 159 years of significant presence, is the oldest bank in Sri Lanka and continues to grow its business at home and abroad.
During the Sri Lankan economic crisis, SBI’s presence in Sri Lanka paved the way for a smooth extension of the Line of Credit worth $1 billion by India to Sri Lanka.
Besides, SBI Sri Lanka continues to play a vital role by supporting corporates in international trade.