GIZ and CCC link up SMEs of North and South
13 November 2015 06:30 pm
GIZ SME Development Programme, together with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) successfully conducted the ‘SME-ProLink: Unity Through Business’, an initiative, which helped create links with the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the North and Southern region.
The programme, which was held recently in the deep south of Matara, saw nearly 60 SMEs, representing the two regions taking part and building relationships, apart from accumulating new knowledge from experts on the different aspects of ‘how to build a successful business.
Accordingly, sessions such as ‘Quality Standards for F&B SMEs’, presented by Rasika Waduge, Assistant Director of Sri Lanka Standards Institute, a session on ‘Developments in Food Processing and Quality Enhancement’, by Dr. Nilantha Lakshman, Head of the Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture of the Ruhuna University, A session on how to build up ‘Linkages with corporate businesses/Super markets’, by Kanchana Bamunuarachchi of Keells Super and Yasantha De Saram of Cargills Ceylon Limited and a presentation on ‘Technological services for improvement of the F & B sector’ conducted by Dr. Ilmi Hewajulige, Senior Deputy Director, Industrial Technology Institute was conducted during the two-day event. An awareness session on the importance of obtaining ‘bar codes’ and the process of obtaining a bar code registration was conducted by Dumi Peiris of GS1 Sri Lanka.
GIZ SME Development Programme organised this Programme as part of its ‘Advise on and facilitate matchmaking between technology and innovation providers and SMEs’.
The opening ceremony was graced by GIZ SME Development Programme Senior Advisor German Mueller, CCC Secretary General/CEO Mangala Yapa, Provincial Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Sports Secretary Chinthaka Lokuhetti, Northern Provincial Council Industrial Development Authority Director S. Subalingham and Matara District Chambers of Commerce and Industry President U. Vidanagamachchi.