Series of ‘Enterprise SL-Gamperaliya’ exhibitions countrywide

State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne

• Inaugural event on 16 August in Moneragala followed by another in Anuradhapura in December

The Government on Wednesday announced a series of ‘Enterprise Sri Lanka-Gamperaliya’ exhibitions countrywide starting from the maiden event in Monaragala on 16 August followed by another in Anuradhapura in December.

Enterprise Sri Lanka and Gamperaliya are two of the Government’s flagship socioeconomic development initiatives. 

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera told a group of business leaders at a forum at Hilton Colombo that the series of exhibitions across the country were aimed at taking the message of Enterprise Sri Lanka and ‘Gamperaliya’ to the people. 

“Whilst Sri Lanka’s pre-colonial past was one of robust global trade and entrepreneurial engagement, in recent decades we have retreated into a protectionist, neo-socialist mindset. The Government must take the lead in driving this change in mindset to enable Sri Lankans to take their economic destiny into their own hands,” he said. 

“We must work together to rekindle the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation that thrived in the hearts of our forefathers. The Enterprise Sri Lanka-Gamperaliya exhibitions will lead the way in taking this message to the people,” Minister Samaraweera emphasised.

The Finance Minister also sought private sector support and commitment to make the key exhibition series a success for the betterment of Sri Lanka and all Sri Lankans.

State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne said that the entrepreneurial population as a percentage of the working population was a very low 2.8% despite Sri Lanka having had a rich heritage in the past of being an entrepreneurial, trading and innovation hub. Comparatively in Thailand it was 27%, Bangladesh 11% and China 7.5%. 

He said the exhibition would feature 12 zones with the key focus areas of the Government including innovation and entrepreneurship, digital economy, SMEs, financial services, sustainable business, energy, etc. “We are expecting a footfall of 200,000 during the exhibition,” he added.

Stalls have been priced at Rs. 25,000 and the Government will woo SMEs, start-ups and young entrepreneurs with the help of Divisional Secretaries and other local institutions. “Our aim is to connect the local provincial level private sector, SMEs, micro businesses and small innovators to the supply chain of larger corporates based in Colombo who are already connected to the global supply chain,” Wickramaratne emphasised. “This is critical if Sri Lanka is to be progressive,” he added.

“Sri Lanka’s export structure is still dominated by a few large companies. It is a structure of a low income economy. However, Sri Lanka is a middle income country therefore if we are to become a high middle income country the structure has to change, linking the smaller business to the global supply chain via larger export houses,”  Wickramaratne pointed out.  “We want you to partner us in this key initiative,” he urged the business leaders present at the forum. 

The Government is seeking three Diamond Sponsors (event partners) who can commit Rs. 30 million each and will benefit by being associated with both exhibitions in Moneragala and Anuradhapura. Around 50 Gold Sponsors willing to commit Rs. 10 million each are also being sought. A host of benefits are available for partnering organisations.