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| Sunday, 1 February 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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NCCSL calls political leaders to work together Sri Lankans have waited long enough and the need has arisen to demand our political leadership to work together to create a conducive atmosphere for all to live without fear, within a framework of law and order, achieve peace through dignity and fairness and to establish transparency and accountability. These comments were made by President, National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), Asoka Gunasekera at the 45th Annual General Meeting of the Chamber held last week. He said: "This Chamber has stated before, and we cannot help but repeat, that our country's political philosophy of vicious partisan politics along with periodic abuse and hurt lead to deep schisms between the governing party and the opposition. Such partisan party politics is the main contributory factor towards the erosion of national unity and political stability". Political stability is a basic and vital ingredient for the continuity of sound macro-economic fundamentals. Hence, the quest for bi-partisan political concepts, particularly in the quest for development of the economy and the national fabric, is a sine qua non, he added. "Sri Lanka has to earn credibility with the outside world, if we are to build a competitively economy. An independent judiciary with high professional standards and a greater degree of integrity are fundamental pillars of a credible and competitive economy," opined Gunasekera. "It is with this in mind that the Joint Business Forum comprising leading chambers of commerce, industry and associations was formed, to address the government with one voice. We have tried to bring reconciliation between the President and Prime Minister for which the JBIZ received bouquets and brickbats. In our minds, we are very clear that we do not support any political party, but we place our country first. The criticism that we have woken up because our profit margins are affected is furthest from the truth". Gunasekera said: "We are very happy to note that today we enjoy peace. Every political party understands the value of peace. All Sri Lankans would welcome peace. If so, what is preventing us from achieving it? "The NCCSL together with all other members of the Joint Business Forum wish to make a very humble request from our political leaders who have taken over the responsibility to guide our destiny, to set aside their personal agendas and to come together to achieve the highest priority in our country's agenda - to achieve peace and economic stability." The Government has set a target that by 2010, the country will be transforming to a strong and modern economy, sustaining a seven-10 per cent growth, through a higher quantum of investment, efficiency and productivity, which is aimed to be achieved by a dynamic private sector, operating within a competitive environment. "The Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector is seen as a key player in our country's national development planning. Our Chamber took over the efforts to set up a joint effort between joint entrepreneurs, non-profit organisations and the Chamber to develop its production technology, marketing and customer service skills, offering a range of services such as on-site analysis, skills development, knowledge sharing, technology assessment, project management and quality systems". He said developing SMEs was one of their major concerns and to facilitate this effort, they set up the Federation of Associations of Small and Medium Enterprises directly affiliated to the Chamber. The Federation brought 15 district associations under one umbrella. "Our pilot project proposal to set up five information centres with Internet facilities and an SME web portal was accepted by the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka. Accordingly, three centres have been established in Puttlam, Anuradhapura and Matara. Two more will be set up before the end of February, in Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya. "We would be tying up with the Export Development Board and the Industrial Development Board to further enhance this programme with a view to establishing a customer relationship management centre which would be capable of providing information to SMEs and getting feedback on their specific needs," he said. |
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