COLOMBO, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- A vendors market, promoting micro entrepreneurship, kicked off in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo on Friday, featuring vendors from around Sri Lanka, showcasing export quality products at wholesale rates, a statement from the organizers said here Sunday.
The vendors market, titled "Ceylon Artisan Network (CAN) Market," was declared open by Sri Lanka cricket legend Muttiah Muralitharan and is organized by Creative Isle and the Colombo City Center.
Creative Isle in a statement said the CAN market will provide the vendors the opportunity to form new trade partnerships with bulk buyers. It will now continue to be held every Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the organizers said.
Focusing on sustainable and community-driven businesses, the market showcases products of home and lifestyle, fashion accessories, artisan food products, herbal teas, ayurveda cosmetics, soaps and fragrances, etc.
The market further supports and features recycle and up-cycle initiatives and products.
Creative Isle Founder Keshini Ann Suraweera, noted "the crux of this project was born during the imposed COVID-19 lockdown, when most creative entrepreneurs experienced a downward trend in growth, stunting their ability to continue with their business efficiently. Identifying the gap in the current business landscape, I wanted to provide local vendors with a space where they could showcase their raw talent, which may otherwise have been undiscovered simply due to the lack of a platform to present themselves."
Sumith Fernando, a painter who is participating in this weekend's market, said following the COVID-19 pandemic, his business had been severely hampered.
"There is no more business after the epidemic. I don't care how many paintings can be sold by joining this market, as long as someone can appreciate my works of art," Fernando said.
Dammika Kosgama, who is good at hand-painting, said he started his business only a year ago. Although his shop is in Colombo, Kosgama said the CAN market provided him more opportunities to communicate directly with consumers and learn from the platform.
According to Creative Isle, 70 entrepreneurs took part in this weekend's market. Enditem
