Back to Business project work successful

MISSION: A delegation from House of Representatives of The Netherlands led by Prof. Dr. Henk De Haan, Chairman of the Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs, was in Sri Lanka recently to study the progress of various projects funded by the Government of the Netherlands.

As a part of their mission, they also visited some of the beneficiaries of the Back to Business Project.

Speaking to the members of the council of the Galle District Chamber of Commerce and Industries, De Haan said that he and the members of the delegation are very impressed about the work carried out by Back to Business project and happy to note how the assistance provided directly reaches the beneficiaries.

He said that tsunami has only destroyed the capital of their enterprises and not their entrepreneurial skills.

He thanked the Back to Business Project for bringing affected enterprises back to business while improving their entrepreneurial skills and providing additional support such as training and opportunities to regain the lost markets and developing new markets for the enterprises.

The delegation visited the construction site of the Handwork Center Malegoda, Payagala, Kalutara, which is to train personnel in the construction industry jointly implemented by the Back to Business Project of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL).

The delegation then visited Samagi Coir Suppliers of Paraliya, Telwatte. The delegation was happy to note that Samagi Coir Suppliers currently provide direct employment to six and indirect employment to over 30.

Thilini Lace in Magalle, Galle, a woman-lead enterprise, which was destroyed by Tsunami, is another beneficiary the delegation visited.

The delegation also addressed the members of the Galle District Chamber of Commerce and Industries.