EDB to boost SME growth

"Of over 4000 Sri Lankan export firms, 75 percent are SMEs.

Therefore we have a huge responsibility to groom them to become large scale export firms if we are to achieve US $20 billion by 2020 said Export Development Board (EDB) Director General Sujatha Weerakoon.

She was addressing the EDB facilitated "Internationalisation of SMEs session by PUM Netherlands senior experts" session held a the EDB last week.

Large firms export on their own but we have to have a strong second tier.

EDB is focused on promoting SMEs by allocating a whole division within EDB for itsdevelopment.

PUM senior experts are offering their services free and we can use their services to strengthen SME capacity building and to reach the next level in exports." I am thankful for PUM Netherlands and more importantly to the Government of Netherlands for the support given to us.

In fact, the Government of Netherlands has increased its expert supply quota to Sri Lanka." Weerakoon said

"The Netherland government backed PUM Netherlands senior experts program operates in 70 countries in all sectors" said Dutch Tech Transfer

Expert Cees Van Dijl, addressing the event.

"We connect entrepreneurs in developing countries and emerging markets with senior experts from the

Netherlands each of whom has gained at least 30 years of experience in a business environment. Our Sri Lanka support and consultancy are absolutely free! Our 3,200 volunteers advise 2,000 entrepreneurs annually in almost every field imaginable: from logistics to welding techniques, and from the hotel and catering trade to carpentry.

PUM is already supporting more than 350 SMEs in Sri Lanka" Van Dijl added.