Bringing technology to village:

SME sector expands horizon

Suraj A. Bandara

The small and medium scale enterprise (SME) sector in the North and East will be boosted by an assistance package given by the Technology and Research Ministry through its program bringing technology to village.

This will empower the North and East SME sector and will uplift living standards of the people in line with the other SME sector in the country. The Technical knowhow which would enhance to meet their challenging business experiences will be developed with the expertise given by the Ministry.

The program will encourage SMEs engaged in Yoghurt, bakery, plantation,crop and food production industries to boost their profit.

A Technology Ministry spokesman said entrepreneurs in the North and East have adopted the knowledge by participating training programs conducted by the Vidhatha Centres set up to communicate with other SMEs in the country.

The Small and Medium Enterprise Sector Development Program will enhance the business environment, strengthen business capabilities, and improve access to finance in the region. It will also use information technology to improve access to markets and technology. The program will have an integrated strategy that will include policy reforms and capacity building.

Yoghurt, Jam, Cordial, sweets, soap, candles, papers, bakery items, screen printing and vegitable and fruit preservation are the focused areas to help through these Vidatha centres, he said

He said the SME sector creates jobs and helps reduce poverty. The government has realized that SMEs don't need subsidies.

The government expects private sector development as the main means of achieving sustainable growth and reaching its 2010 target of 7-8 percent growth. There are around 257 Vidatha centres managed by the Technology and Research Ministry throughout the country.