By Shannine Daniel 

For the first time the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) along with the National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) will be conducting an Entrepreneurship Awards competition for the entrepreneurs of the Western Province. 

Officially launched on 15 September, applications are currently being issued by NCCSL and the award ceremony will take place on 9 November, with 19 awards to be distributed in the categories such as Industry, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and other sectors. 

The main aims behind the competition is to recognise and reward entrepreneurs in the Western Province, motivate and encourage the entrepreneurs to increase their contribution to the economic development of the province as well as the country as a whole and stimulate them to achieve the best results in their respective fields of expertise

Another main objective is to promote and encourage the MSMEs in the region and help them to become more competitive in their respective sectors, stated NCCSL SG and CEO Bandula Dissanayake. 

In terms of the awards, out of the total of 19, 12 awards will be presented to the best enterprises in the Industry and Manufacturing category, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock category and Hospitality and Tourism category. 

Furthermore Dissanayake also stated that six special awards will be presented for top performance in these thematic areas; the Best Environmental Friendly Enterprise, the Best Exporter, Best Productive Enterprise, Best Innovative Enterprise, Best Value Added Enterprise and Energy Efficient Enterprise. 

An Enterprise Excellence Award will be awarded to the most outstanding enterprise in the province as well.