Exhibition to boost micro and SME sector in rural areas

The objective of the International Machinery Exhibition SME 2006 held from September 8-10 was to introduce technology suitable for rural micro and SME development.

Lack of technology and time saving methods is a major problem faced by the Micro and SME sector in the rural areas while the government is unable to provide employment to all persons who enter the labour market.

The support given for self-employed persons is very low while the shortage of appropriate technology is hampering the self-employed from being competitive.

In India the rural industries and the self employed use appropriate technology to improve productivity which has made their goods competitive globally. For example in Sri Lanka it takes three days to boil rice while in India it is done in a day using the appropriate technology.

Minister of Rural Industries and Self-Employment Promotion S. B. Nawinna said that this exhibition has opened the doors for the entrepreneur to obtain technology and start a self-employment venture.

FCCISL President Nawaz Rajabdeen said that they recognise the SME sector as the lifeblood of the economy and are happy that SMEs are being promoted in the rural areas as well under the Mahinda Chinthana.