CMA Sri Lanka to hold SME Development Conference in H’tota

‘Solutions to meet challenges faced by SMES in Financial Management, Bank Funding and Entrepreneurial Leadership in the Post COVID - New Economy’ organized by the CMA Sri Lanka COVID - 19 SME Development Committee’ will be held on September 20 from 8.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. at the Magam Ruhunupura International Convention Centre (MRICC), Hambantota.

The inaugural ceremony of the conference will be from 8.30 am to 10.30 a.m. The Prime Minister is to be the Chief Guest. Chamal Rajapaksa Minister of Irrigation, Mahinda Amaraweera Minister of Environment, Wimal Weerawansa Minister of Industries, Namal Rajapaksa Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Ajith Nivard Cabraal State Minister of Money & Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms, and D.V. Chanaka State Minster of Aviation and Export Zones Development will be among the distinguished invitees.

The ‘CMA Sri Lanka COVID - 19 SME

Development Committee’ comprises around 50 members from professional bodies, chambers of commerce & industry, commercial banks and industry experts who have been meeting since April 2020 to find solutions to problems faced by the SME sector.this event will be co-hosted by the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by nine commercial banks in the Hambantota district and supported by the Ministry of Industries and other Chambers of Commerce of Industry.

The SME sector forms the backbone of the economy and is found in all sectors of the economy and accounts for 52 percent of the GDP, and 45 percent of the total employment, whilst making up more than 75 percent of the total number of enterprises in the country.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the lock down has greatly impacted the SME Sector and the committee is engaged to provide urgent assistance for their revival in many areas by the setting up of ‘SME Help Desks’ by the member Chambers of Commerce and Industry with Expert committees to advice on Financial, Labour, Management, Marketing, Entrepreneurship,skillsdevelopment and accessing Commercial Bank Loans and other facilities. The Conference will mainly attract SME customers of the commercial banks operating in the Hambantota district, and it is expected that around 300 SME’S and distinguished invitees will attend this conference.

To develop the SME sector in both the domestic and export sector the committee has prepared proposals on taxation and incentives and these will also be launched at the event.

Entrance would be by invitation and those who wish to register should contact their nearest Commercial Bank Branch or the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce: Sudammika Mobile: 077 513 9117 Phone: 047 493 3933,

E-mail: chamber@hdcc.lk or CMA Secretariat Ramyani Mobile : 0776292492, e mail – secretariat@cma-srilanka.org