ILO project to develop SME sector

Micro and small enterprises are the engine of growth in the country. Most of the small and medium scale enterprises in the provinces are lagging behind due to lack of support.

Enterprise pro-poor growth, or 'Enter Growth', a project of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is carried out with the Ministry of Investment and Enterprise Development to develop the SME sector to generate employment and reduce poverty in the rural sector.

Chief Technical Officer ILO, Roel Hakemulder said since economic growth is lagging in many provinces, the ILO decided to support the government in its plans to develop enterprises in poverty stricken areas and improve the living conditions of the people.

The ILO and the government agreed on a project targeting the North-West and North-Central Province-Kurunegala, Puttalam, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa which are considered as some of the poorest areas in the country, Hakemulder said.

The enterprise development project will address key issues such as market access of the SME sector, the policy and regulatory environment for enterprise growth and building a vibrant enterprise culture.

(LF)