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| Wednesday, 10 March 2004 |
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EDB joins hands with NCCSL to take e-Commerce to SMEs The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka with the key objective of introducing modern trading practices and information technology to rural areas. As present the EDB operates six regional e- commerce centres while the NCCSL through the Federation of Associations of Small and Medium Enterprises has established e-Information Centres in five Districts. Forging this partnership, will strengthen each other's services and enable the delivery of more effective and value added services electronically to the Small and Medium Enterprises in the regions. Electronic Commerce is today revolutionising market places. Using the latest innovations in technology, it has influenced the way transactions are conducted among businesses, between businesses, between businesses and customers and businesses and governments. It has begun to fundamentally alter not only the way business is done but also how economic value is created. The formula of success in the global market is no longer the size of the company. Speed has become the key factor in gaining and maintaining a competitive edge in today's fast changing business environment. In developed countries e-commerce has become a common means of trading in many sectors. Estimates indicate that over the next three years the value of global e-trade would be as high as 10 - 15% of the value of total trade. Small scale enterprises in Sri Lanka as in most developing countries display a low level of participation in e-Commerce activities due to lack of awareness, high cost of connectivity and infrastructure. Recognising the importance of e-commerce to Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, the EDB has already set up e- commerce centres in Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Kandy, Kurunegala, Ratnapura and Matale. These Centres are all linked to the main Cyber Trader Centre in Colombo. In addition to providing total information solutions to the business community, the Cyber Trader has successfully placed Sri Lanka and its business community on the global trading scene through www.srilankabusiness.com, a fully online trading platform which was launched in September last year. The web site offers a wide range of information to the business community from product and market information to trade statistics, and hosts advertisements, links and banners. |
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