Meta to help NYSC to boost economic growth in Sri Lanka

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has partnered with Sri Lanka’s National Youth Services Council (NYSC) to launch an entrepreneurship programme boosting economic growth for the country. Through the initiative Meta Boost, the programme aims to train around 750 Youth Services Officers of NYSC, who will in turn empower more than 50,000 local entrepreneurs who are using digital platforms to grow their businesses.

This training is a part of NYSC’s Hope 4 Sri Lanka initiative that connects thousands of entrepreneurs across the country with funding, resources and knowledge. Meta Boost will help them utilise online platforms to reach their markets and engage with customers, Meta said in a media release.

At the launching ceremony, Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of  Sports and Youth and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development, spoke about the importance of digital skills to support the country’s economic development. 

“In today’s Digital Sri Lanka, it is important to build the capacity of entrepreneurs that are making a huge impact on our economy,” said Minister Rajapaksa. “We are encouraged by programmes like Meta Boost and the Hope 4 Sri Lanka initiative of the National Youth Services Council that support entrepreneurs and help them drive business.”

Damitha Wickramasinghe, Chairman of NYSC, also spoke at the event and appreciated how Meta identifies needs of the country and designs its programmes in collaboration with key stakeholders to support economic development and the digital economy of Sri Lanka.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused economic challenges for people around the world,” said Sarim Aziz, Head of Public Policy for South Asia at Meta. “At Meta, we understand that it’s crucial to provide training to small businesses so they can navigate digital platforms and the tools that are available to them. We are happy to partner with NYSC to support Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and play a part in boosting the country’s economic development.”