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Budget 2015:
SMEs present most proposals
The Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector has submitted a large
number of proposals for the 2015 Budget aimed at trade facilitation and
providing incentives for development.
 An increase in the number of proposals submitted by women
entrepreneurs has been reported.
“Over 65% of the GDP comes from the SME sector such as yours. The
National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) has received your input
for the next Budget proposals through our Ministry meetings, and they
are highest and have been forwarded by us,” said Industry and Commerce
Minister Rishad Bathiudeen at the Southern Provincial Best Entrepreneur
Awards (SPBEA) event in Matara last week.
It was organised by NEDA and the Hambantota District Chamber of
Commerce (HDCC).
The awards program has been designed to encourage the local business
community to practice modern business methods, achieve high levels of
entrepreneurship by adopting proper ethics and creating a pathway to
venture into new areas of businesses.
“To develop the SME sector, NEDA has launched many programs,” the
Minister said.
“NEDA has already received your inputs for next year's Budget
proposals through our Ministry meetings, and they are the highest ever,
and have been forwarded to the Treasury. To develop southern
entrepreneurs, NEDA has also launched many initiatives,” he said.
NEDA said that the presence of SMEs at pre-budget consultations by
the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) in July-August was the
highest ever.Almost 40 SMEs continuously took part in the sessions.
Of the SMEs, no less than eight were women entrepreneurs.MIC has
submitted 35 SME proposals - the highest number of SME-related Budget
proposals ever, for consideration by the Treasury. |
