EU assists Sri Lanka to set up One Stop Business Service Centres in rural areas
The European Union will be extending its support to set up One Stop Business Service Centres in rural areas countrywide, a high official of the EU residential delegation said in Colombo this week.
One such Business Service Centre designed under this project was opened recently in Moneragala and similar centres will be set up in several other rural areas as well, Thorsten Bargfrede Deputy Head, European Union Delegation to Sri Lanka said.
Addressing a webinar on women participation in Sri Lanka’s Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on Wednesday, he noted that it is essential to improve quality standard of local products to face trade competiveness both locally and internationally.
This online panel discussion was organised by Chrysalis, a Sri Lankan organization working to empower women and youth in collaboration with the European Union delegation office in Colombo.
Small businesses are essential for the country’s development and the EU has already extended assistance to SME sector export competitiveness, he pointed out.
Women are heavily involved in trade and are therefore a target group when it comes to capacity building of SMEs and exporters; he said.
He added that they are focusing on livelihood development and capacity building of rural women in several ongoing EU funded projects.
The Business Service Centre model was conceptualized and implemented by Chrysalis and the Enterprise Project funded by the European Union in Sri Lanka.
The Centre is expected to provide a conducive environment for over 18,000 MSMEs in the district to access regulatory, business growth technical advice and links to state and private sector resources and services.
The Business Centre will ensure service delivery is devoid of much administrative inefficiency that significantly impacts the SME sector in Sri Lanka – including specific challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.
State Minister for Development Banks and Loans, Shehan Semasinghe said that his ministry is ready to discuss with Chrysalis representatives on the modalities of the ongoing EU Funded “One Stop Business Service Centres” as the government will initiate a similar countrywide programe shortly.
25 district level one-stop service centres are to be set up island-wide for the registration of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
These centres would also provide easy access to information on incentives and facilitate MSMEs, he said adding that several financial assistance schemes have been introduced by the government to develop this sector as a major contributor to the local economy.
He disclosed that loans up to Rs. 300 million will be given to small and medium scale entrepreneurs who contribute to the national economy.
The 2021 budget has made large allocations for domestically financed infrastructure development, incentives for domestic production, support for SMEs and improving rural road networks.
Good Market Co-Founder Achala Samaradiwakara said that women entrepreneurs of MSMEs in rural areas should be provided with necessary support and knowhow in continuing their own enterprises and to other women eager to start businesses. Ashika Gunasena, CEO of Chrysalis Sri Lanka was the moderator of the online panel discussion.