Government and business leaders gathered at the National SME Forum Scale Up 2.0 to discuss how small and medium enterprises can become more competitive and access new opportunities for long-term expansion.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Chathuranga Abeysinghe has highlighted the potential of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to drive sustainable economic development, provided they gain access to critical support systems and resources. Speaking at the National SME Forum Scale Up 2.0 held in Colombo, Abeysinghe emphasized that enhanced connectivity and adequate resources would enable SMEs to improve their market competitiveness and readiness for expansion.
The forum, organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, financial institutions and business support organizations to address challenges facing the SME sector. According to Abeysinghe, three core areas require attention for sustainable SME growth: establishing stronger connections to markets, enhancing competitiveness through standards and certification processes, and helping businesses transition from subsistence-level operations to sustainable expansion models.
The Deputy Minister noted that improving investment readiness, strengthening internal business practices and facilitating access to appropriate financing options are essential for long-term growth. The forum aims to provide SMEs with insights into accessing new markets, forming partnerships with larger enterprises, and integrating into both domestic and international value chains. Ceylon Chamber of Commerce leadership, including Chairperson Krishan Balendra and Secretary General Shiran Fernando, participated in the event and shared updates on the progress of previous SME initiatives and findings from recent business surveys.
