1. Experience on Capacity Development for Improving Small-Medium Enterprises is a investment of Sri
Lankan Economy.
This is the fifth program in the Fellowship Programs conducted annually by Monash University in
collaboration with Sri Lanka institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) and funded by the
Departmentof ForeignAffairsandTrade (formerlyunderAusAID). Overall objectives in conducting the
programs have always been to develop public sector capacity and ultimately increase people’s well-
being.Ihope thisobjective achievedthroughthis program by obtained positive impacts as knowledge,
capacity, attitudes and outlook on life.
The Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the
driving force behind economic growth
worldwide. They are the dominating force in Sri
Lanka and Australian Economy with SMEs
representing 80% of business in Sri Lanka and
more than 90% of businesses across Australia.
They create employment, reduce disparities,
generate innovation and utilize skills of
individuals for economic growth. This training
programme very much recognize under the new
economic policy.

2. Over the five weeks I travelled through a journey of knowledge acquisition, new experiences and
change. We all usedthe time andopportunitiesbyprogramtolearn,to gain exposure and broaden our
world view with regards to SMEs which I think enable us to make positive changes in our country.
Thisprogramme was specificallydesignedtoequipthe Fellowswiththe necessary skills for developing,
facing challenges and promoting SMEs in Sri Lanka. The five weeks programme conducted in
Melbourne, Sydney/Canberra and Brisbane and consisted of number of activities from interactive
presentationby academics andparticipantsfromthe diaspora,andpresentationstoindustry visits, one
of which includes a visit to the Australian SMEs Centre in Brisbane.
We acquire knowledge on the importance of SMEs, managerial and technical knowledge on starting,
developing, andcarryingoutSMEs, howto access markets,finance andnew technologyforSMEsand be
givenfirsthandexposure tohowSMEs are managedin the Australian context. Fellows were requested
to bring with them a work project that they will work on and further develop during their stay in
Australia and implement as a pilot project in their respective divisions.
Impact of the fellowship programme
 Understandthe scope of SMEs
interms of theirdefinition,importance
and general constrainsandissuesfaced
by SMEs and how to mitigate these
problems
 Identifythe local andregional
markettrendsfor SMEs
 Understandthe common
governmentregulationandpoliciesfor
SMEs andthe policyandinstitutional
infrastructure inthe promotionof SMEs

3.  Understandhowto start, implementandmanage SMEsunderlocal conditions
 Learn howto use newtechnologyapplicationsforSMEs
 Identifynationalandinternational SMEintegrationstrategiesforSri Lanka
 Gain practical exposure tobyvisitingdifferentkindsof SMEs
 Learn aboutthe SME developmentpolicyprogramsandstrategiesadoptedbythe government
of Australia.
 Womenentrepreneurshipdevelopmentexperience inAustralia
 Learn howto improve productivityandqualityof SMEs
Opportunities to enhance networks
 Opportunities to network with experts and intellectuals on SMEs from Universities and other
organizations in Australia
 Networkwithinvestorsanddiasporainorder to gain exposure to new knowledge as well skills
relating to promoting and investing in Sri Lankan SMEs
 Opportunities to develop relationships with business support organizations