The first SME Machinery Fair 2006 under the theme “Technology for rural, Micro and SME Development” kicked off its three day exhibition at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre yesterday.
“The government of Sri Lanka has recognized the role played by the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in its growth in the income and employment generation of the country”, Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) President Nawaz Rajabdeen said yesterday at the inauguration ceremony. The SME Machinery Fair 2006 is said to be benefiting for all the SME’s by ways of showing them the advantage of technology and also get to know about how to improve a product. They had also invited some Indian delegates also to participate in the fair and there are 14 Indian stalls that are in display at the fair.
“The exhibition has opened the doors to the rural people who have no employment in their area”, Chief Guest and Minister of Rural Industries and Self-Employment Promotion S.B. Navinna said. He said that they are in an era of transition from traditional to modern techniques and that in the rural sector new technology is required not only to create new products and services but also for redesigning products that are there. The ministry plans to obtain machines that have been tested and used in India, China, Korea and Thailand as these technologies will create new economic activities and generate a substantial impact in the development of rural economy in the country.
The exhibition has been organized by FCCISL along with Small and Medium and Enterprise Developers (SMED) and showcases various innovative machinery and accessories of the Sri Lankan and Indian companies. They also have services offered by several Research and Development organizations for SME development. They have planned out small government agencies who will be offering sub-contracting opportunities for SMEs participating in the exhibition. Seminars and workshops have also been arranged for people who will be visiting the exhibition so as to give them a better understanding as to what it is all about.
