EDB promotes Central Province SME exporters to Singapore and Malaysia

by Irangika Range

The Provincial office of Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Provincial Ministry of Industries will organise a market development programme for the promotion of Central Province's SMEs engaged in manufacturing products for export to attract Singapore and Malaysian markets.

The programme comprises two phases. Twelve selected local participants from the Central Province will take part at the "Global SME 2005", a international trade exhibition in Malaysia from September 20 to 24. In the second phase the participants will arrive in Singapore to attend one to one-business meetings with Chamber representatives in Singapore from September 26 to 28.

EDB, Central Province, acting Manager, Anoma Karaliyadda told the Daily News that this programme aims to provide many opportunities to Central Province SME industrialists such as tea, jewellery, spices, leather products, handloom textile and garments, organic herbal products, wooden and soft toys, aquarium fish, cut flowers and foliage, paper and paper based products and natural rubber products to reap full potential as these sectors derive high foreign exchange earnings for the small and medium sector industrialists.

Karaliyadda said participants would benefit through strengthening present business links, building new trade links and identify new developments in the markets by participating in this exhibition and one to one business meetings in Singapore and Malaysia.

'There are many SME exporters in the Central Province and this would be a good opportunity for them to participate and expand their business. This idea was brought up by the Ministry of Industries in Central Province as a in itiative of implementing its Industrial Joint Export Development Plan incolloboration with the EDB, she said