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An agreement to promote capacity building of regional Chambers of Commerce and Enterprises in Sri Lanka was signed recently between the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) at the FCCISL Auditorium.

The project is considered to be the largest capacity building program the Sri Lankan Chambers have ever received.

The objective of the project is to enhance professional capacities and competencies of regional chambers to serve the business community more effectively by enhancing the quality of their services. This will also enable the regional Chambers to be an effective spokesman in industry and commerce and effectively lobby with the authorities to develop industries and commerce in the regions.

SIDA will provide US$ 1 million (Rs. 93 million) for the five-year project due to be completed in two phases with initial support for three years and a further extension of two more years depending on its initial success.

In the first phase of the project, seven regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) in the provinces of Wayamba, Southern and Central would be involved. Of these seven CCIs, the Wayamba Province CCI, the Galle District CCI, the Matale District CCI and the Central Province Women's CCI became full beneficiaries while the Central Province CCI, the Matara District CCI and the Hambantota District CCI will be involved in limited participation.

MoUs between FCCISL and the regional Chambers were signed recently at the FCCISL Board Room in order to;

* Strengthen the competence and capacity of the CCI

* Support CCI to become a spokesman towards the politicians and authorities

* Increase cross-border co-operation

* Closer co-operation between participating CCIs and FCCISL

* CCIs become the focal point for business information

* To be an effective representative organisation

* Make Chambers strong and self sustainable

The project will help in the training and developing of staff and improve professional standards through training programs under Swedish expertise and trainers and through other modes of assistance. 

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