Aug 24, Colombo: Sri Lanka for the first time is moving to introduce automation to its crucial Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector, Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiyutheen said today.

"The need of the hour for our SMEs is technology transfer and my Ministry is pleased to facilitate this years' initiative too where we will introduce automation to our SME sector for the first time in Sri Lanka, by introducing the CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) machine technology," the Minister said addressing the SME Machinery, Technology and Services Exhibition 2012 which opened today at the BMICH in Colombo.

"Computer Numerical Controlled machines are powerful tools of automation and can operate 24 hours, round the clock, to flexibly produce any design for our SMEs," the Minister explained.

The Ministry has spent US$ 120,000 (Rs 15 million) to infuse CNC technology awareness to the SME sector, the Minister said.

A vibrant SME sector can play a key role in creating jobs and high economic growth in post-war Sri Lanka, a World Bank report has said.

The seventh national SME Machinery, Technology and Services Exhibition called 'SME 2012' is organized by the Small and Medium Enterprise Developers (SMED), the SME development arm of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

The annual exhibition provides a platform for the Sri Lankan SME sector to showcase their Machineries, Technologies and Support Services and also to establish links for future business developments.

A SME Forum has been arranged concurrent to the SME 2012 where the government SME policies and strategies, new technologies and innovate products & services will be presented. One to one discussions, meetings with potential partners and institutions will also be arranged.

Over100 exhibitors catering to SME technology in industry, light engineering, agriculture, fisheries, and livestock will be displaying their wares in Sri Lankan and Indian Pavilions at the three-day exhibition.

Well-known Indian machinery firms such as Vikhram Hydraulics, Chass Engineering, Crystal Electric, G.K.S. Engg P. Jet Inks P, Pyara Singh & Sons, Shachi Engg P Ltd, and Shanti Boilers are taking part in this year's show.

Displaying Sri Lankan machinery firms include Unilever, Browns & Co, Samson Industries, Micro Cars Ltd, MDH Fiber, AMW, Etisalat, CMC Engineering Gmbh, and Lanka Industrial Automation Solutions Pvt Ltd.

Other key Lankan participants are the Rubber Research Institute, Sri Lanka Insurance Co, Industrial Development Board, Palmyrah Development Board and the Handicraft - Cheer Project. Among the banks taking part are HNB Leasing and Union Bank.

The SME 2012 will be open from 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. from August 24 -26.