‘Our handicrafts historic’

‘Each SME employs three Lankans’-Rishad

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The heady contribution of Lankan SMEs are not only for country’s economic growth but even for its employment generation, as revealed on 03 December. “We all know the importance of SMEs to our economy. On average every Lankan SME provides employment to three Lankans” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on 03 December.

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the inauguration of Shilpa Exhibition by the National Crafts Council under his Ministry on 03 December at Sri Lank Exhibition and Conventions Centre. Shilpa show highlights the best works of craftsmen in Sri Lanka showing their standards of 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 the 03 December events a handicrafts loan scheme called RDB Shilpa Udana was launched for Lankan craftsmen and SME sector. The event also saw the signing of the MoU between Sri Lanka’s leading ICT solutions provider “Sri Lanka Telecom” s SLT Rainbow pages and the Ministry of Industry & Commerce to develop a digital directory for Small and Medium Enterprises or SMEs.

“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 Lankan SME provides employment to three Lankans. Therefore my 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, Lankan handicrafts sector needs to be supported well. What is more important in today’s opening event is the signing of the MoU between Sri Lanka’s leading ICT solutions provider “Sri Lanka Telecom” s SLT Rainbow pages and my Ministry of Industry & Commerce  to develop a digital directory for Small and Medium Enterprises or SMEs. In that 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.”

The NCC has over 20,000 registered crafts persons. The Shilpa series started way back in 1984 and has continued annually since then. This years’ show packs crafts of more than 1200 artisans and will conclude on 05 December.