More than 50 million SMEs exist currently and over the last
five decades, the SME sector has grown dynamically by contributing 40% of the
country’s exports and creating millions of jobs annually.
In Sri Lankan context, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
play an important role in economies in terms of their contribution to national
output, employment and share of firms operating in countries and also SMEs are the backbone of the economy, which is accounting over 52%
of total GDP in our economy, therefore key players in engendering regional
development and inclusive growth, i.e. ensuring that the benefits of growth go
to all cohorts of society. In addition SMEs provide 45% of national employment
and 75% of the total enterprises in the economy. The notable one in the below
figure is the SMEs are owned by the women is about 22-39%. So these enterprises present a wealth of
opportunity for domestic economic growth.
