Prime Minister requests Daraz CEO to expand Saubhagya programmes through ‘Daraz Connect’

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has requested Daraz Group CEO Bjarke Mikkelson to expand the Saubhagya Production Bureau and Saubhagya Production Villages through Daraz Connect, which is being carried out in partnership with the Divisional Secretariats. 

During a discussion with a delegation headed by Mikkelson at the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday, he said the Daraz Connect programme would be useful for rural skills development.

Daraz CEO acceded to the request made by the Prime Minister to explore possibilities of venturing into renewable energy, production of electric bicycles and marketing rural agricultural and cottage industries products.

Managing Director Rakhil Fernando said Daraz Connect is a physical location where sellers can visit to learn how to sell online and carry out their e-commerce operations. 

Elaborating its methodology, Public Policy Officer Anishka De Zylva said Daraz Connect will have a Daraz Ambassador to guide sellers and coordinate special workshops for sellers. 

During the meeting government priorities related to cross-border regional trade, logistics, technology, and foreign direct investment were discussed. The main focus was on the government’s priorities in terms of developing the cross-border potential of e-commerce and positioning Sri Lanka as an e-commerce hub in 
the region.

Daraz has already invested over US$ 15 million in Sri Lanka and employs over 1500 people directly and indirectly and it is the country’s largest e-commerce business and online marketplace.  Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, Daraz Chief Operations Officer Darshika Attanayake and Head of Admin, Procurement and Government Relations, Malith Ranadewa also participated in this discussion.