Business Clinic

A business clinic was organized at Ambalantota Breez Inn Hotel in the southern region with the participation of 300 small scale entrepreneurs. The main objective was to disseminate wider knowledge in the sectors of Beauty culture and Garment manufacturing among participants. Some businesses directly involved in these sectors were able to provide practical solutions to some of the problems that would be encountered by entrepreneurs looking to enter these sectors including market requirements and market conditions.
.

Trade Fairs

Two successful trade fairs were organized by Central Region and Western / Southern Regions. Central Region trade fair was named as “SEEDS grand trade exhibition” and it was held from 18th to 20th Dec. at Queens Hotel, Kandy. Other trade fair was held from 27th to 29th Dec. at Janadhipathi Vidyalaya, Avissawella. Both fairs were attended by micro and small entrepreneurs in the main sectors of Agriculture, Manufacturing and Services.

According to the evaluation of the Trade Fair held at Central region, out of a total 30 stalls qualified for analysis, 43% were women.  Eighty five percent of the entrepreneurs were Sarvodaya  Society Members. 
Forty seven percent were new comers to a Trade Fair. With regard to type of enterprises, agriculture sector represented 36% of the stalls, which included selling ornamental plants, flowers and fruits etc. From the stallholders, 61% were engaged both in manufacturing and trading. Only rest of the 3% represented services. Almost all entrepreneurs obtained considerable income at the SEEDS Grand Exhibition 2008,when compared to the 2005 Trade fair.

The SEEDS budget Fair held in Awissawella was represented by entrepreneurs who were engaged in the business sectors of Plants, Batik, Artificial flowers, Garment items, Coir products, Jewelry items, Cane products, Teddy bears, Bites and sweet products, Furniture, Clay products, Dresses, Ornamental Fish, Shoes and entertainment events. There were a total of 100 stalls and 80% of the entrepreneurs were Sarvodaya SSS members.

Dry Zone Livelihood Support Project
An agreement was signed between District Program Management Unit, Dry Zone Livelihood Support and Partnership Program and Sarvodaya Economic Enterprise Development Services (SEEDS) (Guarantee) Limited. There are 162 agriculture-based enterprises in the Mahawa Divisional Secretary’s (DS) Division in Kurunegala district.

Three Entrepreneurship Training programs were conducted for a total of 62 entrepreneurs in Mahawa Divisional Secretariat Division during the quarter. All training programs were conducted by the resource person Mr. R.H.M.A. Rajakaruna, Chief Training Officer of SEEDS (Gte) Ltd. He is also the Lead Trainer of the project.