IFC (International Finance Corporation), a member of the World Bank Group, and the Women Entrepreneurs Council, operating under the aegis of the Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have partnered to develop linkages between the tourism industry and local small and medium businesses that focus on the handicraft industry.
A memorandum of understanding and cooperation agreement between International Finance Corporation (IFC) Advisory Services in the region – the SouthAsia Enterprise Development Facility – and the Women Entrepreneurs Council to start operations on this project was signed as part of IFC's initiative to improve the country's business environment and enhance the capacity of its small and medium enterprises. IFC and the council will share project costs.
Shaira Saleem, Chairperson of the Women Entrepreneurs Council, explained, “Handicraft is an ideal income-generating activity for people from the islands. This is a priority area for us. We are pleased that IFC has recognized the importance of linking the two sectors and decided to support the project.”
Gilles Galludec, IFC Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives, who signed the agreement, said, “The overall objective of the program is to build linkages between the tourism industry and local communities. We hope that this initiative is the first of many such activities going forward.”
Holiday resorts in Maldives will have the ability to build sustainable relationships with local communities and businesses and offer resorts' guests a chance to experience the 'Maldivian way of life', he added.
-Ltd..jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Thermore (Far East) Ltd.")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSllC Ltd)")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF)")
