Chamber Business Development Consultants Groups launched in Vavuniya, Kilinochchi Districts

Kilinochchi District Chamber of Commerce and Vavuniya District Chamber of Commerce launched Chamber Business Development Consultants Group, with the support of FCCISL and Aus-aid funded ILO-EED project on 3 February. The Chamber Business Development Consultants Group is comprised of sixteen SIYB trainers representing public, private and NGOs in Vavuniya and Kilinochchi districts.

Main objectives of this consultant groups are developing strong relationship among chambers and make awareness on up-to-date business information among the network.

FCCISL-ILO Local Empowerment through Economic Development (LEED) Project is in progress in Vavuniya and Kilinochchi districts that focus local empowerment through economic development. With the new developments and investment plans being implemented in the North, entrepreneurial development, transferring management, technical skills to MSMEs is the need of the hour. In this context FCCISL and SIYB Sri Lanka Association successfully trained sixteen SIYB trainers in Tamil Language in December 2011 through LEED project.

Addressing the group of consultants by FCCISL Head of the Projects and Services Division Krishantha Wiesenthige, explained the model of a chamber and objectives of the Chamber Development Consultants group. LEED Project National Program Officer Nihal Devagiri stated that though most of the TOT programs were conducted limited follow-up programs were held. This issue will be addressed in this activity among trainers, BDS providers and MSMEs. SIYB Master Trainer L. Logeswarna mentioned that launching of Chamber Business Development Consultants Group is an important and mammoth movement for both districts and it will be a win-win situation for chambers and the business development consultants.

A road map was drawn up at the end of the program, clearly demarcating specific responsibilities of each party and also agreed to develop strong communication system among consultants and chambers.

It is scheduled in the plan to develop a publicity plan for consultancy group, organise SIYB workshop for 140 MSMEs in both districts and establish a proper follow up system with coordination of Vavuniya chamber.