Female Entrepreneurship and the Role of Business Development Services in Promoting Small and Medium Women Entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka

This study examines the socio-economic and cultural barriers which hinder women’s progression to the SME sector. It also looks at the existing and future opportunities for women to enter and lead SMEs with a special focus on access and availability of women – friendly Business Development Services (BDS) including development of business skills, technology transfer and linking with financial services. The study provides policy level recommendations to increase women entrepreneurs’ access to business development services and to identify national-level strategic priorities for stakeholders to work in economic justice with the aim of promoting women’s economic leadership and enterprise culture among women.