Financial Times

Handloom manufacturers linking east and south

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, together with the District Chambers of Commerce is facilitating a UNDP assisted market-linkage project “Viyaparika Diriya” in tsunami-affected areas in a bid to expand market access of tsunami-affected entrepreneurs beyond their regions.

The chamber said that as part of this sustainable recovery project, handloom manufacturers from Ampara will meet with businessmen from the south, from July 16 to 20 with a view to forming profitable market linkages.

Accordingly micro entrepreneurs attached to Maruthamunai Development Company (Peoples) Ltd and Zam-Zam Cooperative Society Ampara will meet entrepreneurs in Kalutara, Matara, Matara and Hambantota districts.

“The project methodology relies on a well-researched platform. Medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) including tsunami-affected entrepreneurs have found it difficult to expand their markets beyond their regions. Further there are no formal or informal modes to promote regional market links.

Thus, all District Project Officers (DPO’s) will screen the regional situation and identify the needs of thrust industries in their areas.

Thereafter information will be shared with the UNDP project staff and other district project officers through the CCC as market offers. The receiving project officers will then identify suitable buyers for the offer in their areas.

The next step will be for the manufacturers to visit potential buyers and during the visit the project officers at both ends will assist to arrange one to one meetings,” the chamber said.

During the visits, the manufacturers will get the opportunity to exhibit their products to potential buyers.

Prior to the visit they will provide a price list and the product specifications to the DPO are thus enabling them to promote viable market linkages. Throughout the process, the project officers in the district chambers together with the UNDP field officers will play the role of facilitation and coordination. The entrepreneurs at both ends will be responsible for the entire business transaction.

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