Sri Lanka has successfully enlisted German support for 18000 marginalised rural entrepreneurs in the country.

More importantly, the much needed support is expected to directly uplift purchasing agents in remote regions who are no less than the first point of product distribution for more than 1.4 Mn rural household ‘economic units’ across the country.

Sri Lanka’s National Enterprise Development Agency (NEDA) under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has now been informed of prospective German support towards its regional entrepreneur uplifting initiative aimed at creating a bankable village entrepreneur.

“This is a powerful shot in the arm for 18000 marginalised entrepreneurs in geographically difficult regions in Sri Lanka. The focus at present is mainly on micro and small scale entrepreneurs –the purchasing agents in rural areas – on whom our rural household producers largely depend on but who are marginalised from our banking infrastructure” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce.

“We have now successfully enlisted support for current and future entrepreneurs in far regions of Sri Lanka” said Lakshman Wijeyawardena, Director of NEDA.

“The micro and small scale purchasing agents and entrepreneurs in difficult geographic areas such as Nuwara Eliya and Monaragala Districts are playing a crucial role in the distribution but are on a continuous struggle to run their enterprises since banks do not accommodate them due to lack of collateral, he said.