NBEA awards on December 4

Small and medium sector enterprises will exhibit their potential and boost businesses by taking part in the National Business Excellence Awards,(NBEA), National Chamber of Commerce NCCSL) President, Asoka Hettigoda said. He was addressing a ceremony to launch the NBEA.

He said that a large number of SMEs has shown a keen interest in taking part in the competition and added that a lenient criteria will be followed in judging their performance.

“SMEs in the North and the East are eager to grab this opportunity to gain recognition and promote their enterprises”, Hettigoda said.

The NBEA which is held for the ninth consecutive year recognises businesses that contribute to the socio-economic development of the country while adopting exemplary business practices. The awards conducted by the NCCSL was first held in 2004.

Hettigoda said that the high exchange rate, the rise in Balance of Payment and down grading of economic growth rate are major challenges and added that Corporates should be geared to face these hurdles.

Set up in 1948, the National Chamber comprises over 600 blue chip companies and around 2,500 SMEs. The Chamber expects around 300 participants for this year's competition.

Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC was the Gold winner at last year's awards ceremony. The first Gold award winner was Dialog Telekom PLC.

DIMO Chairman and CEO, Ranjith Pandithage said “ The Company takes great pride in winning the prestigious award which spurs us to do better”.

Corporates will be judged on business and finance performance, global reach, knowledge integration, technological investment, capacity building, performance management, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility. The Awards ceremony will be held on December 4.