Commonwealth Secretariat to develop rural industries

by Lalin Fernandopulle

The Commonwealth Secretariat has decided to provide technical assistance to develop rural industries in Sri Lanka. The Secretariat will carry out the project in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Industries and Self-Employment Promotion.

The aim of the project is to develop rural industries and generate employment to reduce poverty in the country. The program will support the pro-poor 'Enter Growth' program of the government.

The Commonwealth Secretariat will assist the Ministry of Rural Industries and Self - Employment to formulate strategies to uplift the rural SME sector which is the backbone of the country's economy.

The 'Stakeholder Technical Workshop' on the implementation of the project was organised by the Ministry of Industrial Development and Employment Promotion and the Industrial Development Board (IDB) last week.

Commonwealth Secretariat Advisor and analyst, Maganawari Watipasu said the Secretariat decided to provide assistance to collaborate with the government in carrying out its pro-poor growth program .

The Commonwealth Secretariat will assist the government to develop strategies and policies to strengthen the rural economy through the SME sector. The Secretariat will undertake infrastructure development, enhancement of IT knowledge and provide technical assistance, Watipasu said.

Minister of Rural Industries and Self - Employment Promotion S. B. Nawinne said the SME sector is important to generate employment and achieve economic growth. The SMEs face common problems in the globalised and advanced technological world.

Technical assistance from organisations will help entrepreneurs to acquire and develop strategies and skills to face the challenges of the highly competitive enterprise world, the Minister said. Chairman IDB, Jaliya Nawinne said the IDB will facilitate in carrying out the activities of the program at regional level in keeping with the policy of the government.

The IDB will help identify industrial opportunities, carry out feasibility studies and other technical support services, he said.

The Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with member countries develops the SME sector by providing technical know-how and other support services.