UNIDO assists SME sector development support programme

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

LAUNCH: The UNIDO assisted phase 11 of the Integrated Development Support Program was launched last week at the UNIDO Donor Conference earmarking the SME sector.

Addressing a press conference Minister of Industrial Development Kumara Welgama said that phase 2 consists of seven incorporated projects to facilitate them to enter the global markets by improving quality, standards and metrology capabilities to establish accredited testing laboratories for coir, ceramics and food testing and compliance capabilities to SA 8000 and HACCP, increasing the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, and developing the leather based industry.

Minister Science and Technology Prof. Tissa Vitharana pointed out that unemployment problem of the large number of educated youth has to be solved without delay before it turns in to an adverse situation along with the existing north and east problem.

He said that his ministry has developed a project to provide all 323 Divisional Secretary areas with computers linked to scientific establishments, and internet facilities within the next two years out of which 94 have already been provided.

Through these centres access to knowledge will be provided in all the three languages with free computer training and they will develop rural industries with emphasis to Small and Medium Enterprises.

Professor Vitharana further said that the government has increased the allocation for Research and Development in the latest budget to create a comfortable working environment for the rural youth through generating appropriate technology.

He said that the country has to reduce brain drain taking place at large by mobilizing its human resources properly.

Dr. Lalith Goonatilake Officer in charge, Trade Capacity Building Branch UNIDO dealt with an overview of the Industrial Development Support Programme Phase 2.