FCCISL organizes SME Fair

Machinery, technology and services showcased:

The Industry and Commerce Ministry, has extended its fullest collaboration to the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and Sri Lanka's academia jointly announcing last week the first ever 'full package of services' for the country's Small and Medium Industries (SMEs).

"This is in keeping with the Mahinda Chinthanaya policy framework's industrial development strategies" said, Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, addressing a press conference held at the Ministry premises at Colombo 3.

"It is time to modernize our SME industries as we enter the new development era" Minister Bathiudeen said, announcing the sixth annual Machinery, Technology and Services exhibition. The series of exhibitions, organized by the FCCISL have been from 2006 and has been termed as one of Sri Lanka's successful on-going Public Private Partnership (PPP) efforts.

"The Ministry represents the public sector, the FCCISL and the private sector industries" said Industry and Commerce Ministry Director Epa Dayaratna.

This year's exhibition titled 'SME Machinery, Technology and Services Exhibition 2011' will be held from June 10 to 12 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Exhibition Centre in Colombo.

For the first time, the exhibition will integrate the three aspects of Machinery, Technology and Services (MT and S) together and will showcase, in addition to usual tech and machines, a service provision aspect which will feature consultancy and advice sessions (including credit financing advice) for SME industries. The consultancies will also feature consultancy on infusion of technology, and basic machinery related advice. Among the more than 100 companies taking part in the exhibition are 12 Indian industry firms, some of which are specialized in rice production.

Among the technologies showcased in the exhibition are agro technology, general engineering, handicrafts, and even livestock.

"More than 80 percent of Sri Lanka's industries consist of SME scale manufacturers" said FCCISL Secretary General Dr. Thusitha Tennakoon. "And the Mahinda Chintana manifesto too accepts its importance.

Therefore it is essential that we create awareness for this vital sector" Dr Tennakoon said.

The "Mahinda Chintana" manifesto depicts that the SME entrepreneurs as the backbone of national economy. "But the SME industries are handicapped by lack of knowledge and inability to innovate. There is a dire need for modernization here" he said.

"Therefore in parallel to the exhibition, each day a particular theme will be focused on. The first day will focus on SME policy framework, the second day is on technology and use if IT in industries and the third day being the day of machineries. This is a key PPP initiative in connection with Sri Lanka's SME industries that has been going for some time" Dr Tennakoon said.

Industry and Commerce Ministry Director Epa Dayaratne said that this is in-fact a result of collaboration between three parties.

"This initiative is a tripartite effort of the Ministry, FCCISL and the Universities. The University academia will be present at the exhibition and will give free consultancy to SME industrial issues during this event" he said.

Present at the press conference were Industry and Commerce Ministry Director Epa Dayaratne, Industry and Commerce Additional Secretary Asitha Seneviratne, Industry and Commerce Ministry Acting Secretary K.R. Balachandra and FCCISL Consultant S.W.B. Wijekoon.