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| Sunday, 23 March 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Kandyan culture on display by CAROL ALOYSIUS Sri Lanka's hill capital has never lacked in entrepreneurship, a talent they have inherited from the time of their forefathers. But as in most other parts of the country, until recently, business minded women of this picturesque hill country capital and surrounding areas had remained a marginalised and voiceless group. Then in 1994, a small band of micro,small and medium women entrepreneurs decided to fill that void. They established the Central Province Women's Chamber of Small Industries and Commerce (CPWIC). Their goal? To act as a Service Provider for the business women in the Central Province. The founder president of this new Chamber was Ms Muriel Nilaweera. She was the ideal choice since she had first hand experience and knowledge of the myriad problems that women entrepreneurs in the Central Province faced as she was running a Business consultancy firm at the time. From its small beginnings nine years ago, the Chamber women has since, made several impressive contributions towards giving business women in the Central Province a place in the sun. Although small in number (the total number of members stands at seventeen including office-bearers) the CPWIC which is currently headed by Ms Rosita Samarajeewa has expanded its activities to include provision of services for women entrepreneurs to develop their products and services; provide them with technical and entrepreneurial development training; and disseminate updated information on their respective fields via workshops and seminars. Additionally, it has encouraged its members to attend local and international trade fairs and network with other Service Providers to promote support services for its members. We have also now provided them with a permanent shop window to exhibit their products by setting up a Display Centre at our office at George E. de Silva Mawatha, Kandy", Ms Jayana N. Adikaram, Manager, Information and a member of the Chamber, told the Sunday Observer last week. In recent years, the CPWIC has gone a step further. It has brought down experts to provide training and information on new technologies that interest its members. "For example, if any of our members want to obtain new information on such as beauty culture, food preservation or even flower making, we have been able to provide them that information by bringing down experts in the field either from other parts of the country or else from abroad", Adikaram said. She added that the setting up of a Training Centre on the premises of their office has been a further incentive to women entrepreneurs who now attend workshops and training programs at this centre. " We also allow non members to conduct training programs especially if they are helpful to our members". One of the most recent ongoing projects conducted by the Chamber is its environmental friendly textile bags project where they are made mostly out of locally turned out handlooms. " "These bags will hopefully replace the 'sili sili bags' that now pollute the city and are a health hazard", Adikaram said. Other projects include: Business counselling in specific areas in which members have shown interest i.e. handlooms, beauty culture, floral decor; Preparation of business plans and feasibility reports on entrepreneurship development programs where women learn to make their own business plans and market promotion via trade fairs and by exhibiting their products at the display centre. Those eligible for membership are women entrepreneurs in the Central Province. Organisations linked to the CPWCIC include: the FCCISL, IDM Central Province, IDB, EDB (Kandy) ESSP (Enterprise Support Service Project), Matale Regional Economic Advancement Project (REAP), Matale district Chamber of commerce and Sri Lanka-German CEFE project. The Chamber which is a non-governmental organisation is supported by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FCCISL) and Swedish International Development AID Authority (SIDA). This week the CPWCIC will launch its most ambitious project with a Kandyan Bridal pageant and trade fair. "We are hoping to display the products and skills of our members at this fair. That means everyone who has a role to play in a Kandyan style wedding will be given a chance to display his or her products and creations," the CPWCIC spokesperson explained. From bridal sarees and jewellery to settee backs, poruwas and floral decor, will be exhibited at this novel fair. That is not all. Manufacturers of wedding cake structures and invitations using ola leaves, a la Kandyan style; experts in gokkola arrangements using lotus flowers, rush and reed raw materials that abound in the central province , will all have pride of place at this unusual trade fair-cum-exhibition. Visitors will also be able to witness 'on the spot demonstrations' by hair stylists familiar with dressing up Kandyan brides and, believe it or not, have their horoscopes cast by knowledgeable astrologers! So visitors had better come prepared with dates, times etc. If they wish to avail themselves of an opportunity to have their horoscopes read by Kandyan sages. "Our aim is to promote Kandyan culture. Visitors who attend this fair will be able to get a first hand view of what Kandyan brides (and bride-grooms) require for their wedding, under one roof. Most importantly, they will be able to get a glimpse of the rich Kandyan cultural heritage we are proud of," Adikaram said. The Kandyan Bridal show and trade fair is scheduled to open on March 29 and end on March 30. |
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