EDB collaborates with CCC and USAID to train officers to guide SMEs to become exporters

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is collaborating with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and United States 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 the development officers attached to the EDB.

This initiative will train the EDB officers to guide small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to become global exporters. 

The event was held under the patronage of Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardane, with US Ambassador Alaina Teplitz as the guest of honour. 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, Gunawardena extended his heartfelt gratitude to USAID-supported PARTNER project and the 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 SMEs to enable them to connect to the export value chain and thereby enter the international market,” Gunawardena remarked.

The programme will 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, the local businesses will increase their understanding of trade regulations in Sri Lanka and abroad and work towards the competitive players in international markets.    

“The United States and Sri Lanka share a vision of prosperity, as evidenced by our unparalleled export relationship,” said Teplitz.

“For exports to continue to drive growth, SMEs need to become ‘export-ready’ competitors. This programme will help SMEs expand into global markets.” 

Signatories of the tripartite Letter of Cooperation to solidify the training programme were de Mel, CCC CEO and Secretary General Manjula de Silva and USAID PARTNER Project Chief of Party Malith Gunasekara. 

The training curriculum will be implemented by the CCC on behalf of the EDB and USAID PARTNER Activity. Sessions will be delivered in Sinhalese and Tamil for development officers from all 25 districts.