Rs. 1.4 m fillip for SME development in South

Shirajiv Sirimane

SME DEVELOPMENT: In a bid to promote micro, small and medium sector enterprises and boost economic development in the Southern Province, President Mahinda Rajapaksa presented Rs. 1.4 million to the Ruhunu Chamber of Commerce for industry and agriculture.

This donation would enable the Chamber to assist in capacity building and elevate the Chamber network in Hambantota. The President initiated this Chamber three years ago mainly to support rural development through industry and agriculture.

The Ruhunu Chamber is supported by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry for sustainable industrial development in the region, especially for micro and small industries, President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Nawaz Rajabdeen said.

FCCISL is also taking an active part in rural development plans in the Hambantota district. Special development plans are drawn up for skilled development and creating employment in the region. “This will greatly help the youths of the District with accelerated development plans in the Hambantota district,” he said.

“The FCCISL will also train youth identified by the Chamber in vocational training. This would be done at the FCCISL training centre in Kalautara and the one which is to be inaugurated in Galle soon.

He said that this training would enable youth to find self-employment and also get themselves recruited to many of the development projects that are currently going on in the region.

He said that with the construction of the Hambantota harbour, airport, highway project, railway network and other mega infrastructure development projects, there would be a high demand for skilled workers and these training programmes would find answers for the future demand of skilled workers.

The Ruhunu Chamber since its inception three years ago, successfully organised the Ruhuna Aruna fair at the BMICH under the guidance and support of the President.