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| Sunday, 11 May 2003 |
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CIMA National Conference on May 29-30 by Elmo Leonard Sri Lankans are poor at adding value to anything around them, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Sri Lanka President, Sudarshan Senaratne told a media briefing. Most Lankan exports are highly labour intensive (tea and apparels being two examples). While 66 per cent of the island's exports comprise tea and apparels, very little value is added to them when exported. The larger percentage of tea is still shipped in bulk form. This bulk tea is blended by other countries and sold at much higher prices. The island's apparel exports to the United States are purchased at low, bulk prices. But, when these garments are retailed in supermarket chains, they are sold at very high prices. CIMA wants to assist Sri Lanka to add value to its exports and services and thus strengthen its economy and the socio-economy of the worker, he said. As part of this plan, CIMA's 25th National Conference, scheduled to be held on May 29 and 30 will focus on 'Re-positioning Sri Lanka Globally'. Senaratne also said that Sri Lanka has a reputation for producing cheap goods and remains trapped in a low wage spiral. To get out of this whirlpool, Sri Lanka's corporates need to add more value to their products and services. Sri Lankan managers and business leaders need to change their mindset to become more entrepreneurial, adopt dynamic global practices, form alliances with global players and become global companies. The conference plans to address these issues and educate local managers in this process of change, Senaratne said. Dilshan Rodrigo, Chairman of the Technical Committee for the conference, said this year's conference would have a good blend of highly proficient local and foreign speakers, from a broad spectrum of backgrounds and expertise. The conference would raise great interest. Strong representation from the private and public sector is anticipated, he said. The case study of the Dilmah Tea is a good example of a Sri Lankan entrepreneur who has succeeded in adding value to exports. Dilmah Tea is the third highest brand of tea selling in Australia, and globally among the 10 best selling brands, Rodrigo said. The Dilmah Group's Marketing Director, Dilhan Fernando will make a presentation on 'Developing global brands'. Other speakers include Leah H. Zveglich, who has wide exposure and experience in business development and international marketing. Her paper would discuss the need for developing a broad vision and creating an entrepreneurial and innovative culture in an organisation. James F. Sparks, a process engineering consultant from Thomas Group Texas, USA will present a paper on 'Leveraging global best practices to achieve quantum leaps in productivity'. Prof Arnoud De Meyer is an Akzo Nobel Fellow in Strategic Management. His paper would discuss the benefits of adopting growth strategies through alliances. |
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