• In conversation with Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries Sri Lanka’s (FCCISL) first female President and Chairperson of Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs (CCWE), Shirley Jayawardena 

 CCWE is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative, fostering connections between Sri Lankan and international women entrepreneurs. With a mission to empower and educate, CCWE equips these entrepreneurs with financial acumen and marketing prowess, from transcending industries. The chamber's visionary approach aims to link local talents with global counterparts, amplifying their exposure and reach. Emphasising education and immersive experiences, CCWE leads the charge in opening doors through exhibitions and collaborations, propelling Sri Lankan women entrepreneurs onto the global stage. 

In conversation with The Daily Morning Business, Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries Sri Lanka’s (FCCISL) first female President and Chairperson of Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs (CCWE), Shirley Jayawardena underscores the crucial imperative for Sri Lankan women to empower themselves through education, focusing on mastering financial management within businesses, and harnessing digital platforms. These two pillars not only streamline operations and save time but also address pressing societal challenges, propelling women towards greater success. 

Following are excerpts from the interview:

Can you provide an overview of the Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs and its mission?

I’m a chamber activist. I have been in different chambers such as Kandy Chamber of Central Province, Women's Chamber as a president and  I was the first female president of the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries Sri Lanka (FCCISL). I felt that most of the issues are not properly addressed in all these chambers, especially for women. A country should have a National Women’s Chamber where we could address all the issues Sri Lankan women face. Since we don’t have one, Cord360 Founder and Director Ayanthi Gurusinghe and I are very keen to support women entrepreneurs. So we started the Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs (CCWE). As I have got enough experience and knowledge in this field, I was requested to be the Chairman of  CCWE. CCWE mission and vision is to educate women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka, not in any particular area, but acknowledging them on how to handle finance in their business and  how to market before you start a business. Moreover, our chamber is trying to connect women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka with other women entrepreneurs, or with other businesses abroad. We will focus more on education and also introducing our Sri Lankan women entrepreneurs to businesses abroad by taking them to exhibitions.

What kind of support do we need from the Government to support women's entrepreneurship?

We need much support from the Government, especially for startups. It would greatly help if they can lift the bureaucratic system for a woman to start a business, since it's extremely difficult. Especially for women, if they have a clear channel where they can go and get the work done quickly, that will help the women. For men, they will somehow go through it, but for women, it's difficult, and they drop off. The other thing is, they need financial support to start, in other countries, there are special banks where they address entrepreneurs, where they give special-interest loans, and they also provide grants. The country needs that type of system. If we are not going to set up a bank, at least through the banks to have a special loan scheme for women, low-interest loan schemes for women will encourage startups. When a woman is starting up a business, the Government could organise a matching grant which will help the women.

I would like to request the Government contractors, if they could have a special quota for women, because women can never get those contracts, they can't compete with men. In Sri Lanka, we have only two or three women who have been able to take government contracts for roads, and even buildings. If there's a special quota, there will be a chance for women also to get that.

Women's entrepreneurship has been recognized as a significant driver of economic growth and social empowerment. How does the Chamber support and promote women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka?

I am connected with the South Asia Women's Development Forum, where I am the Vice President (VP) for Sri Lanka. It's an international body, and they will be supporting us in the future. We have already got support from them to take our women entrepreneurs to exhibitions abroad. We have been taking them to Turkey and an Indian exhibition which helps our women entrepreneurs to connect with the foreign women entrepreneurs over there. They have already started communicating with foreign entrepreneurs and exchanging goods. We are also working towards getting some funding from abroad. If it comes to the Sri Lankan Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs, we will not be using it. Instead, we will be giving it to selected women's chambers. We will be identifying a few women's chambers, and will be giving those projects to them with the money and we will be only monitoring.

Can you share some success stories or examples of women-led businesses that have benefited from the Chamber's support and mentorship?

When I was the president at the Central province Women's Chamber before we started CCWE we got some projects from the Asia Foundation. Through that project we developed 20 women to buy three wheelers, among them about four women used the three wheeler to transport goods for trading from one city to the other. One such person started selling coconuts and now that lady is having a grocery shop in the village. She has actually benefited from the Chamber. Moreover, there are so many women to whom we have given grants.

How does the Chamber collaborate with other organisations, both within Sri Lanka and internationally, to create a more supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs?

The Ceylon Chamber is connected with the South Asia Women's Development Forum and through that, we will be getting so many projects. We are getting opportunities for our chamber, our members, to travel abroad and to meet businessmen and  women, and to market their products. We are also working closely with the Ministry of Industries and the Ministry of Trade. We are also at the moment in the process of signing an MOU with the Turkey Women's Chamber. Our chamber and Turkey Women's Chamber which will open up facilities and opportunities for women entrepreneurs. We are also trying to sign an MOU with the Egypt Women’s Chamber and Dubai Women’s Chamber. Moreover, through the South Asia Women's Development Forum, they have told us that they also want to promote a green agriculture project in Sri Lanka where I’ll be discussing with the Government to obtain land and infrastructure, and they are also ready to train the women in Sri Lanka to process agricultural green products.

Access to finance is often a hurdle for entrepreneurs, especially women. How does the Chamber facilitate access to funding and investment opportunities for women-owned businesses?

Personally, the CCWE  talks to the banks when a loan is required from the bank, and we try to get it organised. Sometimes, it is difficult for women to go to banks and get funding. Both national banks and private banks are contributing to women empowerment but when they request for a loan, we also intervene and support them.

Are there any specific sectors or industries where women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka have been particularly successful? What factors contribute to their success in these sectors?

Mostly they have been successful in this tailoring industry, in the textile sector and beauty culture industry. I think they are more into those businesses, but the thing is, they don't think out of the box. They should think out of the box and do something else to compete.

Could you highlight any upcoming events, projects, or collaborations that the Chamber is currently working on?

For next year, we have in line the USA,  Miami exhibition. And also these days we are planning to take a group to Turkey. It's a shoe exhibition and a textile exhibition that we are planning to do. There is a request from India for a delegation of women entrepreneurs to come to Sri Lanka, that they need to meet with our women entrepreneurs. We are planning on identifying some women entrepreneurs from all parts of Sri Lanka and to organise a B2B meeting with these Indian women entrepreneurs so that they could exchange knowledge and experience. I have spoken to the Pakistani Embassy and they have donated some equipment for the Women's Chamber in Central Province. We are also planning entrepreneurial skills development programmes for our women entrepreneurs.

What are some of the key challenges that women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka typically face, and how does the Chamber address these challenges through its programmes and initiatives?

One of the major challenges that women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka face is financial management. Before a woman starts a business, she should have training on how to manage the finances in the business. The main issue is access to finance. Once they obtain the money, they do not know how to manage the finances in the business. They use those finances for lesser needs and it's not put directly to the business. So that kind of financial management training is necessary for a startup or any woman entrepreneur. 

Second challenge is Technology. They do not have knowledge on technology. Thirdly, women have a lot of social issues. Sometimes the husbands don't like their wives going out for work since she has to move with society, the market, the suppliers, bankers. For her to become a successful business woman, she has to win the confidence of the society which is also difficult for a woman because society could be judgemental towards women. The best way to overcome all these issues is to teach women to work through a digital platform to run their business and market their business.

Lastly, could you share any advice or words of encouragement for aspiring women entrepreneurs who are looking to start or grow their own businesses in Sri Lanka?

If you are thinking of starting a business, you must have knowledge on how to run a business, especially how to manage the finances of your business. You should have knowledge on the product that you are going to sell, and whether it will be marketable. Market survey is very important. You must have self-confidence. There will be ups and downs, but you should be able to go through all that and win. You  have to be mindful of how you conduct yourself in society.