UNDP boost for industrial growth

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with Sri Lanka's Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development has formed a strategic partnership to bolster the Ministry's capacity. This partnership aims to establish an Expert Support Unit within the Ministry to accelerate industrial development, strengthen entrepreneurship and SME competitiveness, and advance evidence-based policymaking.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed between J. M. Thilaka Jayasundara, Secretary of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship Development, and Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka. This unit will provide high-quality technical, analytical, and coordination expertise in various areas such as SME development, industrial zone development, trade and policy, digital transformation, data analytics, skills development, and international relations.

Sri Lanka's industrial sector is vital for driving economic growth, generating employment, and boosting export competitiveness. Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating that "Sri Lanka's ambitions for industrial growth, entrepreneurship development, and export competitiveness require agile institutions, equipped with the right expertise and innovative approaches." This partnership with UNDP is a significant step towards achieving these goals.

The Expert Support Unit will be equipped with specialists who can rapidly deploy their technical skills. It will also help strengthen systems for project management, monitoring, reporting, and performance measurement. Moreover, the partnership seeks to mobilize support from development partners and private sector stakeholders to ensure sustainable and impactful results.

Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka, noted that "UNDP has been proud to support Sri Lanka’s reform agenda through innovative and agile institutional support. We are pleased to partner with the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development in establishing the Expert Support Unit, a results-oriented mechanism that brings specialised expertise directly into government systems."

This unit, with its multidisciplinary team, is expected to play a crucial role in driving Sri Lanka's transformation agenda, creating jobs, strengthening integration into global value chains, and accelerating sustainable economic growth.