“C’ Wealth support for SMEs & IP is most welcome”-Minister Bathiudeen

The interest of the Commonwealth (CW) in continuing its long partnership with Sri Lanka in providing technical assistance, particularly in the area of trade has been highly supportive to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, for which I am grateful.

CW’s linkages, I believe, will continue to support our development further, said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce. Minister Bathiudeen was addressing a visiting CW Delegation at the Ministry premises in Colombo on Thursday 28 April.

 The delegation from Marlborough House, London, consisted of Chris Hindle, Consultant, Secretary-General’s Office, Edwin Laurent, Head of International Trade and Regional Cooperation Section, Economic Affairs Division and Mohammed Jasimuddin, Advisor (Asia) Governance and Institutional Development Division.

 Minister Bathiudeen expressed that additional support from CW will be beneficial to the Ministry. “In this new era of development, we will need more and more assistance” Minister Bathiudeen said. “Capacity building support for SME sector, and support for the Intellectual Property Office under the Ministry shall be most welcome” Minister Bathiudeen identified.

 “CW is much better at connecting member countries with each other for bilateral cooperation. CW can also arrange experts and consultants for Sri Lanka. We need to clearly identify the challenges before we decide on the type of experts needed” said Edwin Laurent, the delegation lead.