USAID to assist Sri Lanka’s SMEs

A basic discussion on how to jointly work with the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development to develop small and medium scale enterprises was held between Traditional Industries & Small Enterprises Development Minister Douglus Devananda and USAID Project officials on Monday (13) at the Ministry office.

Ruesel Basar, Director of Economic Development of USAID, Michael Parr, Project Director of USAID’s Vega Bin Plus and Michael Elvin of the Political Wing of the US Embassy participated at the discussion. The Minister at the discussion submitted the plan that is being implemented to uplift the traditional industries and small scale industries.

Ministry Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy explained the programs that are being implemented to develop 18 industrial villages under the Industrial Villages program, specially the Atchchuvely Industrial Estate in Jaffna which had been completely destroyed due to the war.

He also gave a brief description on rehabilitation work carried out under a grant of Rs .250 m extended by the Indian Government, revamping of factories in Guru Nagar under the North Sea program where fishing nets are being manufactured and measures taken to increase sales.

The project officials of USAID submitted a detailed report to the Minister regarding how they could be provided with relief.

Viji Jegarajasingham, Advisor to the Minister, S. Thavarajah, the former MP, Chinthana de Silva, member of IDB and former Planning Director of the Ministry Ajith Ekanayake participated on behalf of the Ministry.