Technonet assistance to tsunami hit entrepreneurs in Ampara

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

AMPARA: The Technonet Asia of Singapore distributed machinery and other equipment among 41 tsunami-hit small-scale Entrepreneurs in Ampara yesterday.

The programme was jointly organised by UNDP, Technonet Asia, Industrial Development Board and the Rural Industries and Self-employment Promotion Ministry under the special project for Rehabilitation of Tsunami Affected Micro Industries in Sri Lanka.

Forty one Muslim and Tamil industrialists received training and machinery to overcome their hardships and difficulties caused by the tsunami, under this project. According to the Technonet Asia, 13 districts in Sri Lanka were affected by the tsunami. Around 25,000 small and medium scale industries in the coastal belt were badly affected by the tsunami.

The revitalisation of the micro sector was vital to both immediate and long-term recovery with any small entrepreneurs, reduced to penury. The IDB which is the prime organisation for SME sector development, coming under the Rural Industries and Self-employment Promotion Ministry conducted islandwide survey on tsunami-affected indu stries. Over 1,500 SMEs were assisted by way of providing machinery and equipment amounting to 19 million.

The IDB negotiated with Technonet Asia of Singapore for further assistance to this section.

Over five hundred industrialists have already been provided with machinery and equipment by the Technonet Asia in the Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts.

The IDB Enterprise Promotion Managers who have undergone special training in business management will be assigned for a two year period to monitor these industrial units.

Technonet Asia Director Mahinda Thenabadu and the Ministry officials were present.