NEDA officers empowered to advise SMEs countrywide
Tuesday, 1 July 2014 02:02
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National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) commenced a training program to enhance capacities of their 200 Enterprise Development Officers (EDOs). Through the internationally recognised training NEDA officers will get an opportunity to develop core competencies and advisors to SME. They will gain practical experience and knowledge in advising SME to tap new markets, invest in new technologies and thus realise their full potential.
Improved business plans developed under the implementation-focused training will enable companies to get better access to finance, which in turn will allow them to invest in higher-value technologies and implement innovative business ideas. The program will promote learning from experiences across regions and districts. SME in all districts will be supported regarding their on the ground challenges. The first two events of the series of training program were conducted in Anuradhapura and Matara recently. A 10 day residential CEFE workshop combining Business Planning and Business Counseling will be held for 50 selected Enterprise Development Officers. Licensed NEDA officers will then conduct business counselling for potential and existing entrepreneurs in their respective districts to encourage and promote new business creation and diversification of existing enterprises.
“We are happy to be able to give our Enterprise Development Officers this opportunity. The programme will not only contribute to their personal and professional development, but also help increase the outreach of NEDA in relation to supporting SME nationwide,” said NEDA Director Lakshman Wijeyewardene.
“Through this partnership, NEDA will enhance the knowledge to assist SMEs in the rural areas. We take pleasure in deepening and expanding our multi-faceted partnership with NEDA through this initiative,” said GIZ-SME Development Program Senior Advisor German Mueller.
CEFE (Competency-based Economies through Formation of Enterprise) is an entrepreneurship training concept for small and medium scale enterprise promotion targeting promotion of new business start-ups, expansion, diversification or improvement of existing businesses, and training of trainers and officers involved in business promotion and promotion of business development services among SMEs. The CEFE Concept has been developed by GIZ and successfully been practiced worldwide in more than 80 countries.
National Enterprise Development Authority is the premier government organisation set up to promote the development of the SME sector in Sri Lanka by facilitating and proactively supporting the development, growth and competitiveness of the Sri Lankan enterprises as an integral part of the national economy of Sri Lanka with an aim of creating a dynamic and sustainable, internationally competitive enterprise sector, which will contribute to the economic, political and social aspirations of the nation. Through the Sri Lankan-German SME Development Program, implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and Planning, GIZ aims to support a cohesive policy framework that enables SME to grow in an inclusive and eco-friendly manner, enhance competitiveness of SME due to technology transfer and innovation, improve access to finance for SME, and enable SME to take advantage of green technologies and maintain nature’s capital for sustainable growth.
