SLT-MOBITEL, the National ICT Solutions Provider, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Creative Isle (Pvt) Limited (TCI) recently to create a virtual interactive marketplace for micro and small-scale entrepreneurs. The tie-up will support these entrepreneurs to leverage digital platforms, enabling them to showcase their unique products to a wider local and global audience.

Through this collaboration, SLT-MOBITEL will provide the concept, design, expertise and technology infrastructure required to create the platform as the technology partner. TCI, as founders of the weekend market will be the event organizer, promoter and host of the virtual market under its brand name including all aspects relating to registered sellers, buyers and resulting transactions carried out via this medium. The virtual marketplace will prove a key enabler gateway to help these entrepreneurs transcend geographic barriers and connect with buyers and sellers.

SLT-MOBITEL has engaged in many initiatives to support micro, small and medium-scale enterprises. However, SLT-MOBITEL understands that due to the prevailing challenging environment these businesses find it difficult to directly reach consumers through events such as trade fairs.

Photo caption: The Founder of TCI- Mrs. Keshini Ann Suraweera exchanging the MOU with Mr. Rohana Ellawala- Deputy Chief Marketing Officer of SLT.

Mr. Prabhath Dahanayake, Chief Marketing Officer, SLT said “We witnessed the initiative by The Creative Isle to organize weekly trade fairs for this community during the onset of Covid-19, and regarded it as a bold idea with potential social and economic benefits that aligned with our core value of making connections between people, communities and businesses”.

Speaking on behalf of TCI the Founder Mrs Keshini Ann Suraweera said “The Creative Isle operates a weekend market in physical form to support micro-entrepreneurship from across the island which takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the One Galle Face mall. The virtual interactive platform created by SLT will become an extension of the physical experience so that sellers and buyers can meet up online and engage in transactions”.

Focusing on sustainable and community-driven businesses, the weekend market will consist of export quality home and lifestyle products, fashion accessories, artisan food products, herbal teas and Ayurveda cosmetics, soaps and fragrances, etc. providing a platform for creative entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their innovative products and services to B2C and B2B buyers.