NCCSL to spearhead vibrant export market

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) has launched a program to develop entrepreneurship and boost exports in line to achieve the US$ 20 billion target envisaged for 2020, said Secretary NCCSL, Sujeeva Samaraweera.

Sujeeva Samaraweera

He said the chamber has drawn up an extensive plan to support small and medium scale entrepreneurs who did not have opportunities to rise due to lack of facilities.

"We will promote innovative products and encourage entrepreneurs to come up with new ideas on businesses. Innovation is the key to drive exports", Samaraweera said.

Export revenue currently is around US$ 7 billion and the industry is targeting US$ 20 billion by 2020. Export income is derived primarily from tea, rubber, garments, agricultural and industrial products.

High cost of production, lack of awareness on foreign market requirements, less competitiveness, inadequate tax concessions and appreciation of the rupee are some of the hurdles to develop exports.

Samaraweera said that there has to be proper and meaningful checks and balances, less paper work, speed in approval and efficiency in State institutions to create a good business environment.

"Our aim is to take SME sector entrepreneurs to a higher level of trade and business by providing the space and opportunities to compete and promote their products in niche global markets", Samaraweera said.

NCCSL has played a key role in creating a vibrant business environment in the country through educational and skills development since its inauguration in 1948.The chamber has 560 corporate members and 20 sector associations including business councils and over 2500 micro, small and medium enterprises.

The chamber supports over 1,000 SME entrepreneurs of which around 200 are from the North and the East who need urgent support to revive their enterprises that were dormant all these years due to the conflict.

Footwear, soft toys, light engineering, food processing, cutflower exports, ornamental fish and confectionary are some of the SMEs supported by the NCCSL.

Samaraweera said that a cutflower entrepreneur in Nuwara Eliya who catered to the local market has become a large scale exporter of flowers earning a substantial income from the industry.

"NCCSL will support entrepreneurs who are keen to excel in their enterprises and make a contribution to the local economy", he said.

NCCSL provided machinery for agriculture, dairy, fisheries, garments and cottage industries such as toys, cookery and confectionary last year.

"The skills of youth in the North and the East should be harnessed for development. They need training and facilities to begin an occupation", he said.

The North and the East has been a suppressed demand market and today with freedom there is a thirst for a modern lifestyle.

"The ambitions of people could be fulfilled by enhancing their income through entrepreneurship. Good entrepreneurship will pay high dividends to the community", the Secretary said.

NCCSL provides overseas training and exposure to SME entrepreneurs. Twenty entrepreneurs will be sent to China for training on green tea cultivation in April and another group will leave for Bangkok in August for exposure on post harvest technology.

The chamber promotes trade within Asia and in this regard NCCSL will facilitate signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh this year.

Samaraweera said the chamber has made representation and currently the agreement is at discussion stage.

Sri Lanka has FTAs with India and Pakistan. Although these trade agreements have not been fully utilised they have helped enhance mutual trade and cooperation.

"NCCSL has a representative at discussions on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India. Complex issues have to be resolved for the implementation of the agreement", Samaraweera said.

The NCCSL plans to set up training centres throughout the country in the next two-three years to develop skills needed to enhance efficiency and productivity.

"The chamber will serve as a knowledge hub to develop new products, minimise post harvest waste and help entrepreneurs to compete in local and international markets",Samaraweera said.

The chamber will develop trade links among entrepreneurs through exposure visits, buyer and seller meetings and business development services.

The Ayurveda Expo 2011, a mega exhibition and symposium organised by NCCSL to promote native medicinal products and services will be held from July 15-17 at the BMICH.

Samaraweera said one of the main objectives of the exhibition is to increase trade and investment on ayurveda and native healthcare in the world.

A special area will be allocated for Sri Lankan professionals, businessmen, industrialists and investors to meet their foreign counterparts.

A series of workshops and sessions on ayurveda and indigenous medicine addressed by world renowned professionals will be held throughout the program.