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| Sunday, 21 August 2005 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Tsunami assistance for SMEs in 15 districts The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) with the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce (AFCC) and Hilfswerk Austria distributed tsunami assistance to affected Small and Medium Entrepreneurs in the Kalutara district at a ceremony this week. The total value of assistance for the project is Euro 70,000 or Rs. 8.4 million and the money will be given to SMEs in the 15 districts affected by the tsunami to start their livelihoods. NCCSL President Nirmali Samaratunga said that they set up a fund to assist the SMEs initially with the contribution of members. After the tsunami the chamber conducted a survey to assess the damage caused to the SMEs. Since we needed more funds we appealed to the international community and this project is the outcome of a partnership forged by the NCCSL and AFCC. The main feature of this project is that SMEs are provided with capital goods and raw material to start their businesses. Under the project assistance was given to SMEs engaged in manufacturing, footwear, furniture and wooden products, mosquito nets, poultry products, candles and red clay products, cake and confectionery, grinding mills, welding works, picture framing, herbal drinks and textiles. Project Manager Economic Affairs Hilfswerk Gunther Thaler said that he and his organisation were happy to help the entrepreneurs as they did not wait until help came but started on their own which is very encouraging. Hilfswerk with 29 branches around the world started operations in Sri Lankan after the tsunami. (S.G.) |
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