Each SME employs 3 Lankans: Rishad

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen (second from right) stands beside the wooden tusker crafted by W.H.Wimalarathnaand his wife from Kelegama, Galle (centre) and displayed at the show which was promptly purchased by State Minister of Industry and Commerce Champika Premadasa (far right), paying Rs. 1.5 million to the crafts couple, to add to his personal crafts collection, as newly-appointed NCC Chairperson HeshaniBogollagama (far left) looks on at SLECC on Thursday

The heady contribution of Sri Lankan SMEs are not only for country’s economic growth but even for its employment generation.

“We all know the importance of SMEs to our economy. Latest data show that almost one million SME enterprises are active in the country.On average every Sri Lankan SME provides employment to three Lankans,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen, addressing the inauguration of the ‘Shilpa’exhibition by the National Crafts Council yesterday at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre.

‘Shilpa’ highlights the best works of craftsmen in Sri Lanka showing their standards in today’s local and foreign markets. These craftsmen are part of the network of National Crafts Council and are able to bring in Lankan traditional designs to modern tastes. 

At yesterday’s event, a handicrafts loan scheme named RDB ShilpaUdana was launched for Lankan craftsmen and the SME sector. The event also saw the signing of the MoU between Sri Lanka Telecom’s SLT Rainbow Pages and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to develop a digital directory for SMEs.

“The Ministry of Industry and Commerce considers SMEs to be an important sector not only in general economic activity but even in our employment. As a traditional sector of historic importance, the Lankan handicrafts sector needs to be supported well. What is more important in today’s opening event is the signing of the MoU between SLT Rainbow Pages and the Ministry to develop a digital directory for SMEs. 

“SLT will start to give free listings to SMEs of Sri Lanka from today to develop their business activities with national digital connectivity higher number of online references and possibility to locate them easily online. The SMEs need only to pay if they publish advertisements with Sri Lanka Telecom’s electronic platforms but their name listings with SLT Rainbow Pages as well as electronic platforms will be totally free of charge. If the SMEs are compelled to pay for these important services their costs will be considerable and a burden to them. Making the listings free for SMEs is a great cost saving for them. Therefore on behalf of the SME community and craft and handicraft community we extend our thanks to Sri Lanka Telecom for this free facilitation that greatly supports our SME sector,” added Bathiudeen.

The NCC has over 20,000 registered crafts persons. The ‘Shilpa’ series started way back in 1984 and has continued annually since then. This year’s show features crafts of more than 1,200 artisans and will conclude on 5 December.