National SME Forum connects over 200 businesses to global markets

IN a bid to strengthen small businesses in Sri Lanka, the National SME Forum 2025, held yesterday by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, gathered 200+ entrepreneurs and key industry stakeholders for collaboration, capacity building, and global market access.

- BY DIVYA THOTAWATTE

• Business Matchmaking and Support Clinic, parallel to the forum, facilitates direct engagement between SMEs, buyers, banks, chambers, and trade support institutions

• Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe says MSMEs are backbone of the nation

• Outlines efforts to drive inclusive entrepreneurship and unlock SMES' full potential

• Ceylon Chamber Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa says SMEs must be made national economic priority

• Visa Vice President Shruti Gupta says SMEs remain largely underserved by financial institutions

The full-day forum was tailored around the theme 'Scale Up,' with an agenda focused on empowering Sri Lankan Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to build and compete globally. It featured a series of expert-led discussions, interactive sessions, and tailored support clinics, bringing together policymakers, trade specialists, financial services providers, and entrepreneurs to tackle key challenges and unlock new growth opportunities.

Trade, Commerce, and Food Security Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, attending as the Chief Guest of the event, underscored the vital position of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector in Sri Lanka's economy, innovation, and community development.

"These businesses contribute significantly to our GDP and employment generation. Importantly, they have adapted well even in the face of recent economic crises, continuing operations despite challenging conditions." Samarasinghe explained that entrepreneurs were the backbone of the nation, noting that the forum was not merely another program, but part of a broader, more significant effort to uplift MSMEs across the country.