### Strategies for Resilient Entrepreneurship in Post-Crisis Sri Lanka 📈

A high-level roundtable convened by Dilmah Genesis and the LSE South Asia Centre in Colombo has outlined a shift from basic economic stability to long-term growth through institutional alignment and specialized support. • The Advisory Gap Research indicates that while financial aid (debt moratoria/concessional loans) is common, it is often "fragile" without relational support. Entrepreneurs rely heavily on informal networks; effective policy must integrate coaching, mentorship, and trust-based guidance rather than just technical instruction. • Sectoral Insights & Value Chains Tea & Agriculture: Experts highlighted that competition for supply can drive quality upgrading and better farmer pricing, drawing parallels from international models. SMEs: Small and medium enterprises remain central to growth but suffer from fragmented policy and under-prioritized fiscal strategies. Innovation: Global value is now defined by sustainability, provenance, and ethics—areas where Sri Lanka holds a natural competitive advantage. • Key Recommendations Digital Infrastructure: Adoption of digitally enabled public systems to restore entrepreneurial confidence. Beyond Capital: Shifting focus from purely financial instruments to human-centered support structures. Policy Alignment: Moving from "survival-driven" micro-enterprises to value-driven export strategies through ICT/BPM integration and climate-resilient innovation. _Note: Findings are based on discussions from the Dilmah-LSE workshop; a formal White Paper with policy suggestions is pending._ ---