PUM Conference begins today
 

BY SARATH Malalasekera

THE PUM Netherlands Representatives Conference 2006 will be held from today to Monday at the Trans Asia Hotel, Colombo.

The PUM Netherlands senior experts have played an important role in international development for the last 27 years by sending senior experts to applicants all over the world.

The PUM will send some 20 experts to projects in Sri Lanka. With the country preparing for further growth, PUM is ready to increase the assistance and move towards 35 projects per year.

PUM will also send around 2,000 experts to 81 countries worldwide selecting from a unique group of over 4,000 Dutch entrepreneurs, managers and specialists who are willing to transfer their know-how for free. The Dutch Government specifically funds PUM to support private sector development.

Many other programmes focussed primarily on healthcare and education and private enterprise which can substantially contribute to local economic development will receive PUM support.

Kumarasinghe said that PUM also helps institutions that "enable" private enterprises to operate successfully.

The Netherlands Government sees a strong and successful private sector as absolutely necessary for progress in all developing countries, and PUM, with its international organisation and its wide range of private sector experts is well equipped to help these private sector enterprises.