The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, founded in 1948 after Sri Lanka gained independence has been serving the local business community for their development for last 66 years. Subsequently the Chamber initiated a program to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as well. As a part of this exercise the Chamber initiated the formation of Trincomalee District Chamber of Commerce and Vavuniya District Chamber of Commerce in 2002.
PROJECT: The SME Disaster Rehabilitation Reconstruction Project initiated by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka in association with Hilfswerk, Austria, extended assistance to tsunami affected SMEs in Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts to enable them to recommence their businesses.
With the aim of rehabilitating and re-establishing the livelihood of these devastated people, the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka together with Hilfswerk has distributed the required plant and machinery and equipment, working capital and other facilities amounting to several million rupees in the last 14 months, since the project was launched. Hilfswerk Austria linked up with the NCCSL in view of the Chamber’s specific focus on SMEs through the ongoing SME development programme, and Hilfswerk officials have been satisfied with the results.
Some of the industries assisted so far include pottery, garments, carpentry, coir industry, grinding mills, food processing, shoe industry, cakes and sweets industry, vehicle repairs, welding works, construction materials, aluminum works etc.
The National Chamber of Commerce initiated the fourth phase grant disbursement to identified and selected deserving SMEs from Balapitiya, Galle, Matara and Weligama areas covering 17 different categories of business at a ceremony held at the National Chamber auditorium.
Over 60 SME/Micro sector recipients have benefited so far from this programme and are successfully operating their own businesses.
