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| Thursday, 3 July 2003 |
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The incubator centre concept would be a great source of encouragement to the creative youth, who are not eligible to borrow from a bank towards capital although they very confidently intend starting up businesses. Just as much as a premature infant is kept under special care until its safe for normal routine, the incubator concept will nurture the small and medium- scale entrepreneurs at the inception, said. Minister of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, and Minister of Constitutional Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris at the opening of the Business Incubator Centre in Katubedda, Moratuwa under the incubator centre programme jointly implemented by the Ministry and the Industrial Development Board. Under this programme the beginners will have the facility to open up manufacturing concerns under one roof. The technology, management, market development, together with common facilities such as telephones, faxing, photocopy, internet, etc., will be provided within the incubator centre. At the same time the authorities have arranged to have the recently launched "Sahanya" loan scheme linked to this programme, in order to make available to these entrepreneur loans on low interest rates. The new entrepreneurs will receive from the centre, minimum services of one year and a maximum of two years. Having received the facility to the extent that one could carry on the business on one's own, he would thereafter cease to receive the assistance of the centre, which opportunity would instead be availed to another new entrepreneur. Minister Peiris said Under the incubator centre programme initial concentration will be on three sectors; Industrial, Ceramic, and Information Technology, Twenty five years before the apparel sector was recognised as a prosperous industry. Having progressed expeditiously, this sector brings in 53% of the countrys export earnings. Similarly, the leather industry too could be developed to be recognised as a heavy income earner as there is a good export market for leather products. This objective will be achieved through the Batatha leather industrial project. With proper coordination between, management, technology, production and marketing this project is expected to be a success. With the required analysis and self-criticism this project will go forward overcoming any shortcomings. This project which is at the moment implemented in Matara and Moratuwa will be replicated in the Kegalle district too, the Minister said. Secretary to the Ministry Ranjith Fernando - although the incubator centre concept is alien to our country, it is very popular in most other countries. Some industrialists close down shop due to their inability to compete in the outer market. Hence, the incubator centre concept in other countries gets under one roof starter-entrepreneurs and employers and nurtures them prior to their entry in to a commercial environment. They will be trained and provided with the know-how on entrepreneurial planning and the market. After one year we will be checking on the progress made by the groups as to how successful they have been in facing the competitive market. Minister Prof. Peiris handed over letters to the entrepreneurs who were selected to be served by the incubator centre. Deepthi Lamahewa, Director Entrepreneurial Development of the Ministry delivered the welcome address. Ravinath Goonesekera Mayor of Moratuwa too addressed the gathering while Anura Weerasekera delivered the vote of thanks. Thomson J. Mendis-Member of Western Provnical Council, Dr. Bandula Perera-Chairman Industrial Development Board, other officials and entrepreneurs were also present on this occasion. |
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