US Embassy in Colombo signs MOU with Matara Chamber of Industry and Commerce to open an American Corner in Matara
The US Embassy in Colombo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding recently with the Matara Chamber of Industry and Commerce to open a new American Corner in Matara.
Nancy VanHorn, the US Embassy’s acting Public Affairs Officer, and Metta Widanagamachchi, Chairman of the Chamber, have signed the Memorandum.
The US Embassy has stated that located on the ground floor of the Chamber’s building at No. 149 Hakmana Road in Matara, the American Corner will offer free programs and training for the Southern Province’s residents.
Programmes will include English classes, coding and computer skills, leadership and public speaking training, and a range of film screenings and cultural opportunities.
“The new American Corner represents the U.S. Embassy’s commitment to building our relationship with the people of the Southern Province,” VanHorn has said. “Our free programs will expand economic opportunity in the region and build ties between the United States and Sri Lanka.”
The American Corner follows the successful March 2018 launch of the US Embassy’s Information Hub (‘iHub”), which has attracted audiences of different ages and diverse backgrounds.
OSL take:
The MOU signed between the US embassy in Colombo and the Matara Chamber of Industry and Commerce to open a new American Corner in Matara is indicative of the involvement of the US government in the development of human resources in most parts of Sri Lanka. The benefits of this programme will be two fold for foreign companies interested in investing in Sri Lanka. The development of skills among the youth in areas out of the country’s commercial capital would make those areas more conducive for business. Also, the programme indicates the close ties between Sri Lanka and US and the latter’s commitment towards Sri Lanka’s overall development.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/10092018/Z_4 |