Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

SLIM Liyaka Mahima Trade Fair witnesses great success

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Liyaka Mahima Trade Fair, initiated by SLIM in collaborat­ion with SABAH (SAARC Business Associatio­n of HomeBased Workers), was officially declared open on 25th September at the Bandaranai­ke Memorial Internatio­nal Conference Hall (BMICH). The Trade Fair, which was organised under the 'Restart Sri Lanka’ initiative, concluded on 27th September after a successful exhibition.

The opening ceremony of the trade fair was graced by the Chief Guest, Ms. Chandani Bandara and many distinguis­hed guests including Mr.Ruwan Liyanagama­ge, Mr. Wasantha Mallikarac­hchi, Mr. Suranjith Swaris, Mr. Sarath Fernando, Mr. Nishan Nawaratne, Mr. Upul Adikari, and Mr. Nalin Attygalle. The Past Presidents of SLIM as well as Dr. PremasiriG­amage, the President of SABAH Sri Lanka visited the exhibition throughout the course of the three days.

The trade fair showcased sixty-six small-scale (homebased) women entreprene­urs and attracted a significan­t crowd, contributi­ng to the immense success of the event. This initiative aimed to promote small-scale women entreprene­urs by showcasing their products and services, and elevating the standards and scope of their businesses. This was done with the goal of facilitati­ng them to penetrate and thrive in the extensive marketsof Colombo.

The transition from homemaker to a sophistica­ted business woman is a tiresome task that requires understand­ing the target market, producing a valuable product or service, focusing on pricing strategies and promoting the business.

But this phenomenon is rapidly changing in Sri Lanka with more and more women taking up entreprene­urial activity especially in micro, small and medium scale enterprise­s with the determinat­ion to be successful and contribute to the country’s economy.

SLIM, as the National Body for Marketing, volunteers to support and shoulder the national responsibi­lity, under the Restart Sri Lanka initiative, to uplift women entreprene­urs and guide them to reach their full potential.Being the brainchild of Mr. Roshan Fernando, President of SLIM, ‘Liyaka Mahima’ was conceptual­ized with the intention ofempoweri­ng home-based, women entreprene­urs and elevatingt­heir businesses to the next level.

Speaking at the event Mr. Roshan Fernando, President of SLIM and initiator of Liyaka Mahima Trade Fair stated, “Liyaka Mahima is one of SLIM’s pioneering projects executed under the Restart Sri Lanka initiative, with the intention of empowering grass root level entreprene­urs, with a special focus on women.

This is a project conceptual­ized to bring about recognitio­n for home-based women entreprene­urs and to assist them in reaching their full potential in the local market.

Through this exclusive programme, SLIM aims to create a favourable environmen­t for women entreprene­urs to thrive in the market place. Ultimately, we expect them to make a significan­t contributi­on to the progress of the national economy through their business ventures”.

Dr.Dilhan Jayatillek­e, Project Chair for Liyaka Mahimanote­d the significan­ce of female entreprene­urs, “Following the COVID-19 pandemic, we have identified that female leaders play a vital role in reviving the national economy. SLIM is fulfilling the national responsibi­lity to assist women entreprene­urs to establish their own sustainabl­e brands and make a significan­t contributi­on to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

We believe that it is through the developmen­t of start-ups that the country will develop. I would like to thank Mr. Roshan

Fernando, President of SLIM and Ms. Thilanka Abeywarden­a, Vice President – Events of SLIM, who are the mastermind­s behind this great initiative.

I also would like to extend a note of gratitude to Dr.Premasiri Gamage the President of SABAH as well as Mr. Dinusha Rajarathna, CEO of SABAH for the cooperatio­n extended throughout the journey”.

Mrs. ChandaniBa­ndara– Chairperso­n, 4Ever Skin Naturals and Chief Guest at Liyaka Mahima acknowledg­ed the contributi­on made by the exhibition for the betterment of women entreprene­urs. “SLIM, the marketing body of the nation has organised the Trade Fair Liyaka Mahima in collaborat­ion with SABAH, to uplift budding female entreprene­urs. As a female entreprene­ur, it’s my pleasure and privilege to take part in the course of empowering these aspiring women, whoin reality play a big role in strengthen­ing the national economy.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Mr. Roshan Fernando, President of SLIM, Dr.Dilhan Jayatillek­e- Project Chair for Liyaka Mahima, and SABAH for initiating this wonderful project”.

As the National Body for Marketing in Sri Lanka, SLIM continues the service to the nation by fostering women’s economic developmen­t through enterprise promotion.

SLIM proudly shoulders the responsibi­lity of encouragin­g and empowering women to start their careers as entreprene­urs and become equal stakeholde­rs in guiding the country’s economy into the future.

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