Universities should support handicraftsmen

Hiran H. Senewiratne in Koblenz Germany

Sri Lankan universities should work with vocational training centres or with craftsmen to improve the quality standards in the SME sector to enter European Union markets, Chief Executive Director of Handwerkskammer Koblenz (Chamber of Skill Craft) Dr. Karl-Jurgen Wilbert said.

He said the Sri Lankan SME sector needs more support from universities and other specialised organisations to improve the quality standards in order to penetrate specially into developed European markets.

"Therefore, it is important to focus on the SME sector, that attracts foreign exchange to the economy," he said.

Dr. Wilbert said the SME sector in Germany is very powerful and they have introduced new technology for craft people. "Therefore, their contribution to the national economy is immense.

They are willing to share their knowledge and information with Sri Lanka if the Sri Lankan Government or the Federation of Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka request from them, he said.

They work with the FCCISL to help the Sri Lanka craft people for which they have formed the National Chamber of Handicraft of Sri Lanka to support the handicraft sector in Sri Lanka.

This is a six-year project, which will end in early 2009. But the Koblenz Chamber will be in close contact with Sri Lanka to support the local SME sector in the country, Dr Wilbert said.

This project benefits more than 200 handicraftsmen and SME sector people, he said. "One of the problems encountered in the Sri Lankan SME sector is that the people who are involved in the sector are not qualified enough to pursue international markets including Europe.

Therefore, to provide training and development they should have quality training and vocational institutes with close contact with Universities and professional bodies", he said.

Dr. Wilbert said that they have already setup a vocational training centre in Kalutara with the assistance of the Norwegian Government to promote and provide new technology for craftsmen in Sri Lanka. They will also set up another vocational training centre in Thirukkovil in the Ampara district in the future.

Handwerkskammer Koblenz is a self governing organisation of the skilled craft and partners of about 18,000 businesses in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz North of Germany.

It works on all aspects of economic conditions, the development of the regions, politics of the vocational education, further technology, the environment and the European markets on behalf of its members.