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| Sunday, 26 March 2006 |
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Awards to recognize women entrepreneurs by Lalin Fernandopulle The Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) will hold the fourth bi-annual Women Entrepreneur Awards on May 16. The purpose of the awards is to recognise women entrepreneurs who have contributed to the local economy and their communities, WCIC Chairperson Rezani Aziz said. She said of the 19 million population in Sri Lanka 53 per cent are women. It is only 5 per cent who own their businesses in the small and medium scale category. Women are an economic force which the policymakers cannot totally ignore. Their role and contribution to the economic growth is imperative to the country, she said. She said policymakers should take serious note of the diverse potential of women. Very often talented and capable women in the rural sector are ignored. As flowers bloom and fade in the jungle the gifted and able women in the periphery go down unheard, Rezani said. What is alarming is that the cry of the poor go unheeded. It is time that the government tap the hidden resource and make full use of the camel in the desert. It is then that the country could forge ahead in the scientific and technological world, she said. The Woman Entrepreneur of the year 2003, G.A Nandani Ajantha said "Awards are an excellent way to celebrate business achievements. While the awards spotlight women achievers, it also encourages them to improve their entreprenual skills and develop the enterprise, she said. The country needs more Nandanis who have started from humble beginnings and risen to admirable heights as a young entrepreneur, WCIC Joint Chairperson, Ramola Sivasunderam said. This year's awards have increased from five categories to eight including the Best Innovative Enterprise, Best Business Start Up and the Tsunami Turnaround Woman Entrepreneur awards. |
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