Experience on Capacity Development for Improving Small-Medium Enterprises in Sri Lanka

1. AUSTRALIAN AWARDS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM-
2015

2. Programme Overview
 Funder –Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
funded training programme
 Target Group- Mid Career Government Servant
 Programme Conducted- Department of Management,
Monash University collaborated with SLIDA
 Objective : Develop Public sector capacity and ultimately
increase people’s wellbeing

3. SMEs - Definition
SMEs are defined in variety of ways
by various countries using such
parameters as:
 Number of persons
employed
 Amount of capital invested
 Amount of turnover or
nature of the business
In Sri Lanka: • An enterprise with fewer
than 50 people and capital investment less
than 5 million Rs (Department of Small
Industries)
An enterprise with less than 8 million Rs
investment and less than 50 million Rs
annual turnover (Export Development Board)
• The World Bank states that:
 if any enterprise has below 99 people, it can be defined
as an SME.
Hence, a clear definition is needed to:
 provide concessionary financial facilities on a targeted basis and
 provide specific business development service •
Therefore, the Department of Census & Statistics has started an
“Economic Census” in 2013/14 with a key objective to prepare a unique
definition for Micro Small, and Medium Enterprises in Sri Lanka

4. Importance of SMEs in our Economy

5. Key SMEs Sectors
The SME sector dominates
 Agriculture,
 Plantation,
 Construction,
 Manufacturing,
 Trade and other services.
SMEs in the Plantation and
Agriculture Sectors
• Paddy Milling
• Tea
• Rubber
• Coconut
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Minor Crops
• Poultry Industry
SMEs in the Services Sector
• Health Services
• Passenger Transport
• Freight Transport
• Banking and Insurance
• Tourism Sector
• Telecommunications
• Construction
• Business Process Outsourcing
(BPO)
• Beauty Care Industry
SMEs in the Manufacturing
Sector
• Textile and Apparel Industry
• Surgical Gauze Industry
• Leather and Footwear Industry
• Gem and Jewellery Industry
• Edible products, including
milk/fish based products, etc.

6. Who is entrepreneur?
 Risk-taker
 Visionary leader
 Founder
 Businessperson
 Innovator
 Dreamer
 Manager
 Catalyst
 Poineer

7. Program Structure and Time Frame
Activity Location Duration Date
Stage 1: Briefing
Session
Melbourne ½ day 13th September 2015
Stage 2 : Workshop &
industry visits
Melbourne 3 weeks 14th September – 2nd October
2015
Stage 3 : Workshop &
industry visits
Brisbane 1 week 3rd – 10th October 2015
Stage 4 : Workshop &
industry visits
Canberra/Sydney 1 week 11th - 15th October 2015
Stage 5 : Feedback and
farewell
Melbourne 3 days 15th – 17th October 2015

8. 1st Week
 Administrative & Political system in Australia
 The Value of SMEs to economic and social growth
 SMEs & sustainability
 Parliamentary Systems Parliament house, Victoria
 Visit Department of Economic Development, Jobs,
Transport and resources

9. 2nd week
 Understanding Family Business
 Developing a business plan for SMEs
 Developing Social Capital through networking
 Industry Visit- 3 to Monash City Council
 Industry Visit -4 Enterprise Geelong, City of Grater
Geelong

10. 3rd week
 Managing Stress
 Use of IT and SMEs
 Building and empowering effective team

11. 4th week Brisbane- QUT
 Visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
 Engaging seniors and youth in Entrepreneurship
 Industry Visit: PwC and the innovation Hub
 Final work plan presentation

12. 5th week
 Role of SMEs in economic and social development in
Sri Lanka
 Industry Visit-8: National Parliament Canberra
 Field Activity-1 : Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade
 Field Activity-2 : Meeting with the Sri Lankan High
Commissioner
 Industry Visit -9: Sri Lanka- Australia Chamber of
Commerce, NSW

13. Impact of the fellowship programme
 Understand the scope of SMEs in terms of their definition, importance and
general constrains and issues faced by SMEs and how to mitigate these
problems
 Identify the local and regional market trends for SMEs
 Understand the common government regulation and policies for SMEs and the
policy and institutional infrastructure in the promotion of SMEs
 Understand how to start, implement and manage SMEs under local conditions
 Learn how to use new technology applications for SMEs
 Identify national and international SME integration strategies for Sri Lanka
 Gain practical exposure to by visiting different kinds of SMEs
 Learn about the SME development policy programs and strategies adopted by
the government of Australia.
 Women entrepreneurship development experience in Australia
 Learn how to improve productivity and quality of SMEs

14. Opportunities to enhance networks
 Opportunities to network with experts and intellectuals on
SMEs from Universities and other organizations in
Australia
 Network with investors and diaspora in order to gain
exposure to new knowledge as well skills relating to
promoting and investing in Sri Lankan SMEs
 Opportunities to develop relationships with business
support organizations

15. Thank you