Bhathiya Barukanda
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It is a true honor to be here at the Colombo Stock Exchange to celebrate the hard work of a woman-owned and -led business’ debut on the trading floor.
First and foremost, let me extend my congratulations to Mrs. Thavamalar Guganathan and her team at Maharaja Foods, on this significant milestone. Your journey from a home-based business in the northern province to a publicly listed company exporting products and services is a testament to your resilience, perseverance, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Today marks more than just a listing—it symbolizes an example for many businesswomen in Sri Lanka that gender and other barriers should never limit ambition or achievement.
As a development partner committed to increasing women’s economic empowerment through investment, financing, advisory services, and partnerships, the United States over the past 75 years has supported hundreds of thousands Sri Lankan businesswomen like Guganathan to eliminate barriers and succeed as entrepreneurs. Additionally, as Sri Lanka’s economy is looking to move from a recovery stage to a growth stage, support to SMEs is crucial. As you all know, SMEs contribute 52% of Sri Lanka’s gross domestic product (GDP), 45% of employment, and 20% of exports.
Through USAID, we are working on improving market linkages, encouraging the adoption of new technologies and innovations, and strengthening capacities and developing the workforce to increase the growth of SMEs. We also work with innovative accelerators like Hatch to support startups, especially those owned by women, with access to finance. Our vision is to see an increase in women not only owning and managing enterprises but also playing leading roles in the senior management, board of directors, and widening the labor market.
On a different note, I am also happy to be here at the Colombo Stock Exchange as we have a longstanding relationship with the entity since the 1980s when we first supported to modernize it into a robust and internationally accepted marketplace. In closing, Mrs. Thavamalar Guganathan, this listing will be the beginning of a new chapter for you and your team. Good luck to you, and I am waiting to see your products and services in the United States soon. I also have no doubt that your journey will inspire other Sri Lankan women entrepreneurs and pave the way for future generations to follow in your footsteps.
To everyone involved in making today possible, thank you.
Source; https://lk.usembassy.gov/
