FCCISL –Business for Peace Initiative (BPI) and Mannar Chamber in Rs. 4.5 m support for 93 conflict affected enterprises and livelihoods

FCCISL – BPI in its endeavor to rehabilitate conflict affected enterprises extended support to another 93 enterprises and livelihoods in the district of Mannar to a value of Rs.4.5 million with the partnership of Mannar District Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Agriculture. Earlier BPI provided commodities and working capital to 113 enterprises and livelihoods in Batticaloa and Kalmunai to the value of Rs.3.2 million and 109 beneficiaries in Trincomalee district valued at Rs.3.9 million bringing the total supported so far to 315 beneficiaries with a value of Rs.11.6 million.

BPI is the conflict affected enterprise rehabilitation component of the World Award wining Back to Business Project and is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Colombo. BPI attempts to enhance the leadership and participation of the business sector in the peace building efforts in the country. Main objectives of the enterprise rehabilitation component are to reorganise and rebuild of 1200 conflict affected Micro enterprises and livelihoods and create over 2000 new employment / reemployment opportunities. Only those who have been directly affected by conflict and or disturbances since August 2004 were considered. No applications were entertained from indirectly affected and or unaffected enterprises / entrepreneur / livelihoods. Enterprises / livelihoods affected by war which do not want to be in the same business were encouraged to start up a new business under the guidance of the respective Chambers.

Majority of the beneficiaries of Mannar were from Vankalai and Pesali areas engaged in fishing and related processing, specifically dry fish processing. Among them were 68 micro enterprises and 25 livelihoods. Items handed over included 100 / 50 kg hanging scales, Double dial weighing scales, plastic barrels, plastic crates, cane baskets, insulated fiberglass fishing boxes and coir sacks.

Speaking at the function held at the simple function held on Saturday 29th March 2008 at the Auditorium of the Kachcheri, Mannar, Soosaithasan Kulas, a beneficiary from Vankalai said that many organisations came up to help, they recorded all the details but no one provided any assistance. He thanked the FCCISL and the Mannar Chamber for coming forward to help them. He added that they are really encouraged by this noble gesture and will help them to build back their business. He also pointed out that many others who were affected need assistance and requested the Chambers to support them too.

Anton Francis, beneficiary from Pesalai said that all of them have benefited immensely from the training provided and such knowledge is undoubtedly would help them to manage their businesses better. He proposed that restrictions on night fishing to be lifted has it has brought them much hardships and requested FCCISL-BPI to take up the issue with relevant authorities.

Under the programme, it is mandatory that the beneficiaries undergo business training which includes trauma counseling. The livelihoods supported followed one day business training while the beneficiaries of micro enterprises underwent three days business training conducted by the respective district chambers under direction of the FCCISL-BPI. Subjects covered were introduction to business, entrepreneurial competencies, business idea generation, goal setting, SWOT analysis, reasons for business failures, basics in marketing and management, management of finances and preparation of business plans.

Sam Stembo, Director of Special Projects of FCCISL who was the Chief Guest at the grant distribution ceremony praised the courage of the beneficiaries and requested them to build back their business better. He emphasised the importance of making use of the training provided and to apply new thinking to manage the business. He further said that due to budgetary constraints, BPI is unable to help all those businesses affected but happy to be able to support at least a few. He requested beneficiaries to become members of the Mannar Chamber and obtain professional guidance from them.

President of the Mannar District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Rex Kulas addressing the gathering at the grants distribution ceremony said that Chamber is happy to be of assistance to some of the conflict affected enterprises and will be available for further guidance in the future. He thanked the Government Agent of Mannar District , Divisional Secretaries and State officials for the support extended to the Chamber and also the officials of FCCISL and local Chamber officials and staff for all the hard work done. He appealed to the beneficiaries to make use of this opportunity to build their lives and business and said that the chamber officials would be closely monitoring the progress made. S Thuram Assistant Commissioner of Local Government, Mannar, N Ilampirainathan, Deputy Director Enterprise Credit of Special Projects Division of FCCISL were among other who addressed the gathering.