EDB promotes SME jewellery manufacturers under 2000 Exporter Development Programme
The Export Development Board (EDB) has initiated a number of programmes focusing the small and medium enterprises (SMES) especially in the provinces to develop identified entrepreneurs to become exporters ready under the 2000 Exporters Development Programme.
One of the latest initiatives undertaken was to develop and promote SME jewellery manufacturers mainly from the Sabaragamuwa, Northern, Central, North Western, Southern and Western Provinces. The EDB organised a series of workshops for the selected group of SME jewellery manufacturers with the objective of improving the technical skills, product quality and designs.
The workshop series was conducted by obtaining a service of a local manufacturing expert in jewellery manufacturing and finishing techniques. The selected SME manufacturers were individually advised on quality improvements by the expert and the EDB has made arrangement for all selected participants to develop a new collection of jewellery.
In order to give these SMES an opportunity to showcase their capabilities, the EDB made arrangements for these SMES to display their products at the special pavilion organised by the EDB at Facets International Gem and Jewellery Show 2017, at the BMICH.
Fifteen SME jewellery manufacturers, including an entrepreneur from Jaffna and craftsmen of Neelawala, the traditional craft village in the Central Province, displayed their products at the show.
In addition, the EDB gave an opportunity for selected eight jewellery designers, four students of the University of Visual and Performing Arts and four selected jewellery designers, who have participated in the Jewellery Design Development Workshop Organised by the EDB for the jewellery designers in the Southern Province, to display and promote their capabilities at the show.