GIZ and CCC support Eastern, Central businesses

The Sri Lankan-German SME Development Programme, implemented by GIZ in cooperation with Finance Ministry Sri Lanka, aims to support a cohesive policy framework enabling SMEs to grow in an inclusive and eco-friendly manner. Through a wide range of technical assistance, it helps enhance competitiveness of SMEs through technology transfer, innovation and improved access to finance. The programme is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany.
In its second consecutive year, SME ProLink 2016, has organized a two-day residential SME exchange/linkage programme to be held from August 9-11, at Green Park Hotel in Trincomalee. 
The programme will consist of technical and knowledge sharing sessions on relevant topics for the development of the sector, promoting linkages between the F&B sector SMEs and corporate businesses and field visits to a food processing factory that have specific learning points and cultural events to promote social and cultural linkages.  Through this programme, the project will ensure that 30 SMEs each from the Central and the Eastern Provinces, along with technical service providers such as Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI), Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), Department of Food Science and Technology of the University of Peradeniya and the large-scale corporates will meet at one venue to share knowledge and experiences and establish mutually beneficial linkages. Distinguished guests from the host province and GIZ will also grace this occasion. 
The District Chambers of Commerce in Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya Districts will facilitate the participation of SMEs from respective districts at this two-day business development programme.
SMEs in the F&B sector operating in the above districts can forward applications for participation in the programme through the district chambers in the respective districts. After carefully reviewing the applications, the organisers will select the most suitable SMEs for participation in the programme based on a set of transparent selection criteria. The expenses of the entire SME linkage programme including cost of travelling, accommodation and meals will be covered by the organisers.
GIZ SME Development Programme partnered with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) to organise the first SME Exchange/Linkage Programme between Southern and Northern SMEs in September 2015 in Matara titled ‘SME ProLink; Unity Through Business’.