A business delegation to Mannar

A business delegation comprising 13 members representing diverse industry sectors of the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) held meetings with the business community in Mannar from 8-10 October 2009. The delegation was led by Lal de Alwis, the President of the Chamber. Representatives from CAL Exports Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Eswaran Brothers Exports Ltd, Kool Air Ltd, Alcobronsz Engineering, ETA Lanka (Pvt)Ltd, Paramount Exporters, Color Vision, Macksons Holdings Ltd, Laughs Holdings Ltd and Hospitality Management Consultancy Association joined the delegation to Mannar.

The delegation had fruitful meetings with the members of the business community in Mannar representing the Mannar Chamber of Commerce and with the officials of the Government Agent's office in Mannar.

Main areas of focus were setting up of business pertaining to Chemicals and Gloves, Air-conditioning and Generators, Cold Rooms, Ice Plants, Diesel Water Pumps, Solar based Water Systems, General Engineering Repair Work, Multilac paints, Nilkamal plastic furniture and office furniture, Agricultural equipment and fertilizer, Wood Working and Metal Machinery, Building Materials, Stainless Steel and Heavy Machinery and tourism.

However, the business community expressed concern about the long journey from Colombo to Mannar and urged the authorities to open the Puttalam-Colombo road, more precisely, the Eluvankulam-Marichikaddi Road, so that transportation of goods and people could be expedited.

Lal de Alwis said that the main objective of the delegation was to develop business in the Mannar Penninsular by setting up of businesses there with the help of the Chamber Delegation from Colombo, finding markets in Colombo for the products produced in Mannar and exploring the possibility of providing services such as banking and tourism. He also said that the National Chamber is planning to support many Small and Medium Entrepreneurs who are engaged in different business activities by providing the required capital to purchase machinery and equipment to re-start or expand their business.