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EDB initiates capacity building programme islandwide

09 Aug 2021

Collaborates with Chamber and USAID The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) collaborated with The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), and the US Agency for International Development (USAID)-supported Partnership for Accelerating Results in Trade, National Expenditure, and Revenue (PARTNER) Activity to implement a capacity building programme for Development Officers attached to the EDB. This initiative is to train EDB officers to guide small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to become global exporters.  The event was held under the patronage of Minister of Trade Dr. Bandula Gunawardane, with US Ambassador Alaina B.Teplitz as the guest of honor. Other participants included EDB Chairman Suresh de Mel, USAID Sri Lanka and the Maldives Mission Director Reed Aeschliman, and CCC Chairman Vish Govindasamy. Taking part in the event, Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena extended his gratitude to USAID supported PARTNER project and CCC for joining the EDB to implement this training programme. “I am confident that this development officer training programme will make a significant contribution to strengthen the capacity of small and medium enterprises to enable them to connect to the export value chain and thereby enter the international market,” the Minister remarked. The programme is to improve the knowledge and skills of up to 300 EDB development officers in trade procedures, export processes, and market access. The officers will help SMEs, including women-led businesses, develop and achieve export goals and connect with export opportunities. Through this programme, local businesses will increase their understanding of trade regulations in Sri Lanka and abroad, and work towards becoming competitive players in international markets. “The US and Sri Lanka share a vision of prosperity, as evidenced by our unparalleled export relationship,” said US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Teplitz. “For exports to continue to drive growth, small and medium enterprises need to become ‘export-ready’ competitors. This programme will help SMEs expand into global markets.” Signatories of the tripartite Letter of Co-operation to solidify the training programme were EDB Chairman Suresh de Mel, the CCC CEO and Secretary-General Manjula de Silva, and USAID PARTNER project Chief of Party Malith Gunasekara. The training curriculum has been decided to be implemented by the CCC on behalf of EDB and the USAID PARTNER Activity. The sessions will be delivered in Sinhalese and Tamil for Development Officers from all 25 districts. 


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