The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (Provincial Office Kandy) held a workshop on cyber trader services for e-Business to small & medium exporters at Queens Hotel Kandy on Saturday.

The use of Internet and e-mail for e-commerce, the importance of using Internet and e-mail for e-commerce. Problems related for using Internet & e-mail. How to use Internet and e-mail to business Development and Problems related to e-commerce were the topics discussed at the workshop.

In the context of liberalized World trade it is an accepted fact that e-commerce has had a considerable impact on enterprises world over. In a globalized economy e-commerce has become a key element. Estimates indicate that over the next three years global e-trade would be as high as 10-15% of the value of the total trade. e-commerce can play a major role in facilitating the development of SME’s who lack the resources and capacity needed to compete internationally.

SME’s in Sri Lanka particularly those in the regions display a low level of participation due to lack of awareness, high cost of connectivity, lack of infrastructure etc.,

" The TradenetSL of the EDB fills a felt need through the provision of e-commerce facility to the regional SME sector at very competitive rates. The TradenetSL has already set up 5 e-commerce centres in Galle, Matara. Hambantota, Kandy and Kurunegala with two new centres proposed in Matale and Ratnapura. This has been a big boon to small scale manufacturers and producers in the provinces" an SLEDB spokesman said.

The workshop held in Kandy will provide a good opportunity to small and medium Entrepreneurs in the area to obtain an indepth knowledge on how to use e-commerce to develop their enterprises.