EDB nurtures North Central Province entrepreneurs
The sixth seminar for the North Central Province entrepreneurs on the national programme of developing 2000 new exporters was held on February 22, 2019, at The Golden Mango Resort, Anuradhapura.
The first seminar was held on March 23, 2017, launching the programme for the Northern Province entrepreneurs in Jaffna and the second phase of the seminar was held in Kandy for the Central Province entrepreneurs. The third phase was held for the Southern Province entrepreneurs in Matara. The fourth phase was held for the North Western Province entrepreneurs in Kurunegala. The fifth seminar was held for the Sabaragamuwa Province entrepreneurs in Kegalle.
The Export Development Board (EDB) is implementing a national programme to nurture 2000 new entrepreneurs to become exporters during the period 2017-2022, at regional level. The main objective of this programme is to encourage domestic enterprises to invest in export industries to achieve the overall export target of US $ 28 billion in 2022.
The programme includes an awareness programme for entrepreneurs, a technological display for the export industry for school students to educate about the export sector and a discussion with top business leaders to attract them to the export sector.
The mini exhibition on technology is with the participation of stakeholder organisations relevant for the export sector representing the Industrial Development Board, Industrial Technology Institute, Sri Lanka Standards Institution, National Engineering Research and Development Centre, Post-harvest Technology Institute, Export Agriculture Department, Coconut Development Authority, Sri Lanka Institutes of Nanotechnology, Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd and Tulip Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd.
The seminar will focus on introducing export business opportunities for the development of products suitable for the province, including spice products, ornamental articles, processed foods, Ayurvedic products, coir products and ornamental fish and wellness tourism with a view to increase export supplies from the province of those potential products and services.
Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema, Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Livestock Development, Irrigation and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister P. Harrison, Women and Child Affairs and Dry Zone Development Minister Chandrani Bandara, Development Strategies and International Trade Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Development Strategies and International Trade Ministry Secretary S.T. Kodikara, EDB Chairperson and Chief Executive Indira Malwatte and officials of government and private sector graced this occasion.