The Royal Norwegian Government's support to the Southern Region SME Development Program, has done exactly that - created opportunities.
Sampath Sandanayake, a spice trader from Thalawitiya, Parakaduwa, who recently introduced rice flour, kurakkan flour, and green gram flour to the market as new offerings, says, "I was able to think anew and implement new concepts to my business as a result of the knowledge I gathered from workshops I participated in."
Now in the process of purchasing a lorry with a loan from a private bank to distribute spices across Ratnapura and Eheliyagoda, Sampath was one among 1500 participants who underwent training and capacity building workshops for micro, small and medium enterprises as part of the Southern Region SME program over the last two years.
Similar ability to grab opportunities is helping small businesses grow in southern Sri Lanka, thanks to the program. Partnerships were vital to achieve real benefits on the ground. Whether it was Sabaragamuwa, Galle District, Hambantota, Matara District, or Monaragala District, the local Chambers were roped in to implement. To ensure that efforts were sustainable, advice was sought from IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, to design interventions, manage implementation and monitor progress made.
UOverall, as many as 1500 small and medium scale businesses have benefitted while more than 3,500 people have benefitted indirectly through projects under this Program. SMEs have generated revenues of over $ 8 million in the last two years. In addition, over 800 jobs have been created of which over 360 were for women.
The rollout began in the year 2008. Spice packaging was one of the clusters selected as part of the SME interventions. Other clusters included professional photography; ornamental flowers; bakeries; and wood based products.
As part of the professional photography initiative, for example, more than eighty studio owners and photographers received hands-on sessions in nature and digital photography used in promotional materials to position Galle and Ratnapura as eco-tourism destinations.
By coming together as a group, photographers now have better bargaining power, sound pricing policies, and are up to date with latest techniques. "The photographers program in Galle was very valuable," said Pradeep Gunawardena, a participant of the photography sessions. "Most of us were able to eliminate our apprehensions for digital technology."
Galle's first computer lab, also established as part of the overall program, provides many benefits to a number of businesses including photographers. The lab helps more than 300 small businesses enhance their productivity and provides faster communications with overseas clients and partners.
In addition, certificate courses for local business owners provided business management skills, marketing, business accountancy, basic computer skills, and awareness workshops were held on productivity, quality, packaging, taxation, and English language skills.
To help local entrepreneurs understand the benefits of collaboration and outreach, an exhibition was held in July 2009. A follow-up survey shows that participating SMEs have generated revenues over $421,000 during the past one year and have endorsed making the exhibition an annual event.
The local chambers are now in the process of establishing one-stop centers imparting business skills to small entrepreneurs to help them grow faster, make business processes more efficient, and boost client satisfaction.
Continued initiatives are expected to reach over 25,000 SMEs in coming years, through training programs for entrepreneurs to improve their skills in accessing market information and business development services. |
E-mail
