Northern Province Governor launches Business Centres

Monday, 18 March 2013 00:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Governor of the Northern Province Maj. Gen. G.A. Chandrasiri last week launched the Business Centres of the Department of Industries, Northern Province, to expedite local economic development activities of the Province.

The Business Centres will be a hub of provincial services to provide employment support to youth, develop enterprises and promote investments in the Northern Province.

Launching the Business Centres, he stated: “During the last three years we have done a lot of activities for the livelihood development and economic empowerment of the people of the Northern Province… Today I see that the people are happier than they were before. Together with the local government departments, the NGOS and the private sector, we should work together to ensure that the people are supported with the services they need.”

The project is implemented by the Nucleus Foundation and financially supported by GIZ Development oriented Emergency and Transition Aid (DETA) project.

This launch follows the restructuring of the Department of Industries commissioned by the Chief Secretary and implemented by Nucleus Foundation. Staff located in each DS Division in the Northern Province provide employment counselling to youth and business counselling to entrepreneurs from the area.

Through this program over 200 youth in these districts are being supported to link up with vocational training programs on offer so that they equip themselves with the skills required to compete in the job market. Business planning training programs have been conducted for over 230 micro entrepreneurs to develop their businesses and make use of business development service on offer.

Entrepreneurs are supported to improve and upgrade their businesses through technical training, business planning and counselling and linking with new markets. Investors interested in the region will be assisted to find competitive opportunities and linked with stakeholders in the region.

The stakeholders networking event brought together entrepreneurs, youth who are undergoing vocational training, Government and private sector service providers and international agencies in one forum. The event laid the foundation for developing mutually-favourable networks and linkages.

The business centre is located at the District Secretariat premises in Kilinochchi and the Election Branch in Mullaitivu.