FCCISL steps in as GTZ steps out

The Nucleus Entrepreneur Foundation was launched in Kandy to support the promotion and expansion of the nucleus approach where working groups of entrepreneurs of the same sector come together to exchange ideas and experiences and to foster common interests.

These groups are facilitated by a nucleus counselor who is employed by a chamber of commerce. The nucleus approach has been implemented in the central region since 2004 with the support of the GTZ sponsored Economic Strategy Support Programme. With the termination of GTZ activities in the central region the Nucleus Entrepreneur Foundation (NEF) established under the Companies Act No 7 of 2007 as a non profit company, will take over the promotion and expansion of the approach. They will be supported by the Federation of Chambers and Commerce in Sri Lanka (FCCISL) in this endeavour, according to a FCCISL statement.

The NEF was launched and the new office of NEF was opened in Kandy on June 30 with the participation of representatives from chambers in the region, Nucleus entrepreneurs and other well wishers. The contribution of nucleus entrepreneurs to the event was a main feature and one of the key points was a member of the carpenters’ nucleus renovating the new office, a member of the floriculture nucleus providing flowers and plants for the occasion while one from the catering nucleus provided the refreshments.

Samantha Abeywickrama, Secretary General of FCCISL was at hand to offer his fullest support to the institutionalization of the nucleus approach within the chamber system in Sri Lanka. Speaking at the event he said the FCCISL remains committed to strengthening the chamber system in Sri Lanka through the development of the regional chambers. “We have seen that the nucleus approach is a good tool for the organizational development of chambers as well as for the promotion of SMES. We at FCCISL are committed to see that the nucleus approach is implemented in all 24 regional chambers and that it is the standard for SME promotion in the country. We wish the NEF all the best in this endeavor and would like to emphasize that the FCCISL will support the NEF to provide all future technical expertise in implementing this approach island wide,” he added.

The Nucleus Entrepreneur Foundation is now operational from its new office at 406/11, Piachaud Gardens, Kandy. Telephone 081 2223701 -- Hotline 077 3622222 or Email: info@nucleus.lk and Website: www.nucleus.lk.