FCCISL - BPI leads private sector involvement in East
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Presentation: President of Kalmunai Traders Federation A M A
Careem, (second from left) and Director Special Projects of
FCCISL Sam Stembo (second from right) is seeing handing over
parcel of equipment to “differently- abled” recipient in
Kalmunai. Deputy Mayor of Kalmunai Municipal Council S Z M
Mashoor Moulana (extreme left) was also present at the occasion.
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Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL)
lead the private sector involvement in the Eastern province development
in motion by kicking off a major enterprise rehabilitation drive in the
eastern province.
FCCISL- BPI ( Business for Peace Initiative) together with Batticaloa
District Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture (BDCCI&A) and
Kalmunai Traders Federation distributed grants to the value of Rs.3.49
Million to 113 conflict affected livelihoods and micro enterprises in
the Batticaloa and Kalmunai at the inaugural distribution ceremonies
held recently.
FCCISL, in order to address the increasing economic marginalization
of people in the Northern and Eastern provinces due to ongoing conflict,
initiated efforts to help improve the lives of the people in these areas
by facilitating business and entrepreneurial activities, through the
Business for Peace Initiative (BPI).
BPI is the conflict affected enterprise rehabilitation component of
the World Award wining Back to Business Project and is funded by the
Embassy of the kingdom of Netherlands, Colombo. BPI attempts to enhance
the leadership and participation of the business sector in the peace
building efforts in the country.
Anuradhapura District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture;
Ampara District Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Batticaloa District
Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture; Chamber of Commerce and
Industries of Trincomalee District; Chamber of Commerce and Industry of
Yarlpanam; Jaffna Women's Chamber of Commerce, Industry and
Agribusiness; Kalmunai Traders Federation; Kilinochchi District Chamber
of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture; Mannar District Chamber of
Commerce, Industry and Agriculture; Monaragala District Chamber of
Commerce, Industry and Agriculture; Mullaitivu District Chamber of
Commerce, Industry &Agriculture; Polonnaruwa District Chamber of
Commerce, Industry and Agriculture; Puttalam District Chamber of
Commerce , Industry and Agribusiness; Vavuniya District Chamber of
Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, are the core members of the BPI.
The approach to the selection of the conflict affected enterprises
was done with the members of the Core Group of BPI in several
consultative sessions.
The representatives of the Chambers, collectively decided on the
targets for each chamber, the composition and the criteria of selection
within the financial allocation limits available for the enterprise
rehabilitation component.
Main objectives of the enterprise rehabilitation component are to
reorganize and rebuild of 1200 conflict affected Micro enterprises and
livelihoods and create over 2000 new employment / reemployment
opportunities.
Only those who have been directly affected by conflict and/ or
disturbances since August 2004 were considered. No applications were
entertained from indirectly affected and/or unaffected enterprises /
entrepreneur / livelihoods. Enterprises / livelihoods affected by war
which do not want to be in the same business were encouraged to start up
a new business under the guidance of the respective Chambers. |
