Tripartite collaboration to provide cutting edge of training for entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI) and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) signed separate agreements with Aquinas South Asian Regional Institute of Management (ASARIM) last week to launch a major training and consulting program in Sri Lanka towards assisting entrepreneurs to plan, develop and fund small and medium enterprises.

The agreements signed by the Director of EDI Dr. Dinesh Awasthi, President of FCCISL Nawaz Rajabdeen, and President of ASARIM, Guy de Fontgalland, paves the way for EDI's full scale engagement in Sri Lanka in cooperation with FCCISL and ASARIM.

Fontgalland who initiated the three party professional collaboration program said that the move is aimed at giving entrepreneurship development in this country a defined focus, a clear set of entrepreneurial skills related to enterprise planning and development and access to funds through local banks and international donors.

He said that they are keen to train the micro entrepreneurs and assist in teaching them how to market their products to reach to international markets.

"What we need is not preaching but action," he said. ASARIM-EDI-FCCISL collaboration will lead to very specific enterprise development programs. The three institutions expect to train and consult to some 1000 entrepreneurs each year and assist them with access to funds and finance. The first training program would be held in Colombo for around 40 selected persons.

FCCISL Chairman Nawaz Rajabdeen said that FCCISL is already supporting small and medium enterprises in a big way and the ASARIM-FCCISL-EDI collaboration will provide the cutting edge in terms of experience, professionalism and global network of resources.

Dr. Dinesh Awasthi, Director of EDI based in Ahemedabad, India said that the collaboration agreements mark the beginning of a major initiative between Sri Lanka and India and brings together strategic synergies of key institutions in India and Sri Lanka.

ASARIM is a specialised management training, education and consulting institute within the 52-year old Aquinas and is networked on a global basis.

Dr. Dinesh Awasthi and S. B. Sareen of EDI made a presentation of EDI experience in India. Over 75 professionals and businessmen attended the ceremony. Jitendra Kumar, First Secretary Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka who participated at the MoU signing ceremony emphasized on the close and growing partnership between India and Sri Lanka and commended ASARIM-FCCISL-EDI collaboration.

Fontgalland holds a postgraduate degree from Harvard University, is a reputed merchant banker who has worked with the World Bank group, the Westpac Bank, Asia Pacific Bank and the Flanders Federation of Industries in Belgium in senior executive capacities.

EDI is an apex institution in India, specialising in entrepreneurship training and development. The United Nations Social and Economic Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) has classified it as a Centre of Excellence which works in close collaboration with major donor agencies and governments and is supported by 4 of top banks in India including the State Bank of India.

FCCISL is an apex organisation for the Sri Lankan private sector consisting of some 50 Chambers of Commercial, Industrial and Trade Organisations representing over 8500 business enterprises throughout the country.