Build capacity among local business comunity - Ministr Rajapaksa

The Best Entrepreneur Awards ceremony for the Hambantota District which is an annual event organized by the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) was held for the 8th successive time on October 17 at the Singapore Sri Lanka Hall with the patronage of Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister of Ports, Aviation, Irrigation and Water Management.

The Chairman Ports Authority Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama was the special guest. The Divisional Secretary of the district R. M. D. B. Meegasmulla and many other government and non-government officials and entrepreneurs of the district also attended.

The event was designed to encourage the local business community to raise their standards of business practices and to achieve a high level of entrepreneurship in the district. The competition has now become benchmark and a driving factor for the local business community to look for more ethical approach towards their own businesses.

Winners were announced in several categories including for an overall performance category, a woman entrepreneur category as well as six different service categories in small, medium, large and extra large sectors.

The Minister in his speech emphasized the importance of building capacity among the local business community in order to take full advantage of the economic changes that will take place after the commissioning of the Hambantota port as well as the international airport. He said, these two mega projects will generate significant monetary contributions to the district and the needs of the business environment will change rapidly. He urged the Chamber to give leadership in this transition and to make sure the local business community is well equipped to take on the new challenges. The minister also had a special word for the Hambantota District Chamber for the contributions made in the district during the past 16 years.

Dr. Wickrama in his message explained the timing anticipated for the Hambantota port and gave clear indications to the local business community on the possible economic changes the district may go through after the completion of the first phase of the port project and the challenges and the opportunities that will arise through these changes.

HDCC also made this occasion to honour three people for outstanding services rendered to the Hambantota district. The Minister, Chamal Rajapaksa, the District Secretary, R. M. B. S. Meegasmulla and the Director General and the Founder President of HDCC, Azmi Thassim were proud recipients of this special award.