WCISL Awards to tap rural talent

By Shirajiv SIRIMANE

The much -awaited women’s entrepreneurship awards ceremony conducted by the Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce Sri Lanka (WCICSL)will be held on July 15 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel.

The President of the Chamber, Vindyani Hettigoda said that one of the prime objectives of the event is to tap rural talent and give them exposure to reach international standard and be a bigger contributor to Sri Lankan exports. She said that though the women population is high in Sri Lanka, the contribution made by them to the national economy is inadequate. “Though their potential is high, no organised mechanism was available to harness their abilities and talent until recently,” she said.

Hettigoda said that the Ministry of Economic Affairs has arranged a series of programs. The Women’s Chamber is organising seminars and workshops to sharpen the skills of these hidden women entrepreneurs. The Chamber is working nationally and internationally to improve the status of women in Industry, Commerce and Service to enable them to use their expertise to effect positive change towards sustainable development. She said that the awards ceremony is one such endeavor organised by the Chamber.

She said that the past winners of the event have expressed satisfaction saying that the publicity and recognition they gained helped them to take their business to the next level.

They have received easier access to credit and several past winners have expanded their businesses locally as well as overseas. At this year's ceremony women will be recognised in the large, medium, small and micro categories while gold, silver and bronze awards would be presented.