PUM Netherlands Senior Experts Help Sri Lanka Industries. Hans Blankert Fund Grants Given to Two Companies for Essential Equipment

24th March 2011, www.dailynews.lk

This year, two companies have already received grant from Hans Blankert Fund through PUM to purchase essential equipment necessary for the efficient and cleaner production in factories. Twenty six Sri Lankan companies received assistance in 2010 under PUM Netherlands Senior experts Technical Assistance Program.

PUM Netherlands Senior Experts have played an important role in the field of international development assistance for the past 30 years, sending senior experts in 75 sectors of specialty to more than 70 countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe.

Over 2000 missions carried out in 2010. Sri Lanka is among the beneficiaries and received an increased quota for 2011.

Upon request, PUM’s experts offer their skills and, experience to businesses and organizations in places where these are most needed.

PUM concentrates its activities on small and medium sized businesses employing less than 100 workers.

PUM projects are intense and generally take two to three weeks.

In the course of their careers, PUM’s advisers have gained extensive experience in nearly every conceivable field. These experts are independent and work on a voluntary basis (they receive no wages).

International and insurance costs are paid by PUM and only local expenditure such as local food and lodging and travelling has to be borne by the applicants.

Sri Lanka PUM Representative SPC Kumarasinghe said that PUM has assisted over 400 industries and service organization in Sri Lanka during past 15 years.

PUM has appointed a second representative, SG Punchihewa for Sri Lanka to cover the Southern region.

PUM also offers further training in the Netherlands for the technical staff and managers selected and recommended by the visiting PUM expert. Over 80 Sri Lankans have been trained under this scheme. PUM also assists local entrepreneurs to develop business links with Dutch companies.

In 2010 Ten professionals from Sri Lanka was sent to the Netherlands for further training and business links, said Kumarasinghe.

Image: Sri Lanka PUM Representative SPC Kumarasinghe handing over the grant to Lloyd Perera of Lloyd industries to purchase an essential machine for his industry.