North-South SMEs to strengthen business and social links thro’ GIZ-CCC
View(s):GIZ SME Development Programme, together with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, will launch ‘SME-ProLink: Unity Through Business’, an initiative to link the Northern and Southern SMEs to strengthen business and social relationships and promote unity and harmony among communities. The programme will be held in Matara on September 29-30.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft fÜr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the chamber firmly believe that this initiative will create opportunities for SMEs in two provinces to build new market linkages, facilitate expansion of their businesses to other parts of the country and thereby support addressing some of the regional economic disparities faced by SMEs, according to a chamber media release.
During the SME-ProLink programme, 30 SMEs, from the Northern Province will meet, interact and share experiences with 30 SMEs from the Southern Province, along with Technical service providers such as Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), Universities and the corporates at one venue to exchange knowledge and to create linkages.
‘SME-ProLink: Unity Through Business’ will be a 2-day programme targeting food and beverage sector SMEs who have been in the industry for more than two years and have minimum turnover of Rs. 2 million per annum to enhance their business/ social linkages, expand business contacts, technology transfer and strengthen skills & capacities.
The event will focus on educating SMEs on improving quality of products and services provided, introduction of technology to enhance production capacities and certification. SME-ProLink will also provide a platform to have business to business meetings with entrepreneurs and corporate buyers, providing the SMEs with an opportunity to extend their market share.