Forum on German experience in fostering SMEs kicks off today

Together with the Pathfinder Foundation, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) ‘Social and Economic Governance Programme Asia’ (SOPAS), is organising a bilateral expert Roundtable Conference titled ‘Social Market Economy in South Asia: Germans Experience of Fostering Small and Medium Enterprises’.

The conference aims at exploring ways and means how the Germans experience could serve as an impulse for Sri Lanka’s sustainable development and a thriving economy. Based in Japan, SOPAS is a regional sector program of KAS, covering the entire Asia-Pacific region organising conferences, workshops and seminars for experts from Asia and Europe. The goal is to establish a stronger dialogue and a continuous exchange of views on current challenges, risks and opportunities of multilateral cooperation between Asia and Europe will be held Monday 22 May to Thursday 25 May at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo.

Among the speakers at the conference are internationally renowned German and Sri Lankan experts. Their presentations will focus on inter alia on issues relating to enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs and integrating them to the local value chain and international markets. The keynote address of this conference will be delivered by the Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy.

The topics to be elaborated at this conference include ‘An Introductory Overview of the German Social Market Economy as a Model for South Asia’ by Prof. Rolf Langhammer, ‘A Concise Examination of the Discourse about Social Market Economy and the Role of SMEs in Sri Lanka’ by Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne, ‘Policies to Facilitate SME Growth in the Sectors of Taxation and Banking’ by Prof. Andre Schmidt, ‘Entrepreneurial Women in Sri Lanka: Challenges and Way Forward’ by Dilesha Perera, ‘How may MSMEs be Better Served by Public Utilities’ by Prof. Rohan Samarajiva, ‘The Significance of Vocational and Dual Education Systems for SMEs in Germany’ by Dr. Michael Zibrowius and ‘Growth and Competitiveness of Sri Lankan SMEs’ by Anushka Wijesinha.

The Pathfinder Foundation consider this initiative as another effort to enhance the competitiveness of the country’s economy and advocate further economic reforms to be implemented by the authorities. In this regard, discussions will be held with the German experts to develop a road map for fostering the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises.