Support for 93 conflict affected enterprises in Mannar
FCCISL - BPI in its endeavour to rehabilitate conflict affected
enterprises extended support to another 93 enterprises and livelihoods
in the district of Mannar to the value of Rs.4.5 million with the
partnership of the Mannar District Chamber of Commerce and Industry and
Agriculture.
Earlier BPI provided commodities and working capital to 113
enterprises and livelihoods in Batticaloa and Kalmunai to the value of
Rs.3.2 million and 109 beneficiaries in Trincomalee district valued at
Rs.3.9 million bringing the total supported so far to 315 beneficiaries
valued at Rs.11.6 million.
BPI is the conflict affected enterprise rehabilitation component of
the World Award winning Back to Business Project and is funded by the
Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Colombo.
BPI attempts to enhance the leadership and participation of the
business sector in the peace building efforts in the country.
The main objectives of the enterprise rehabilitation component are to
reorganise and rebuild 1,200 conflict affected Micro enterprises and
livelihoods and create over 2000 new employment/re-employment
opportunities.
Only those who have been directly affected by conflict and or
disturbances since August 2004 were considered. No applications were
entertained from indirectly affected and or unaffected
enterprises/entrepreneur/livelihoods. Enterprises/livelihoods affected
by war which do not want to be in the same business were encouraged to
start a new business under the guidance of the respective Chambers.
The majority of the beneficiaries of Mannar were from Vankalai and
the Pesalai areas engaged in fishing and related processing,
specifically dry fish processing. Among them were 68 micro enterprises
and 25 livelihoods. Items handed over included 100/50 kg hanging scales,
Double dial weighing scales, plastic barrels, plastic crates, cane
baskets, insulated fibreglass fishing boxes and coir sacks.
Soosaithasan Kulas, a beneficiary from Vankalai said that many
organisations came to help; they recorded all the details but no one
provided any assistance. He thanked the FCCISL and the Mannar Chamber
for helping them. He said they are really encouraged by this gesture
which will help them to build back their business.
Many others who were affected need assistance and called upon the
Chambers to support them too.
Anton Francis, a beneficiary of Pesalai said that all of them have
benefited immensely from the training provided and such knowledge would
help them to manage their businesses better. He proposed that
restrictions on night fishing be lifted has it has brought them much
hardships and called upon FCCISL-BPI to take up the issue with the
relevant authorities. |