New auditorium for NCCSL

President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the new auditorium of the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) at D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10, last week.

NCCSL chairman Ashoka Hettigoda said that the country has a conducive environment today for business.

"This freedom for business is essential to achieve economic growth. Strong local enterprises are essential for the economic growth of the country", he said.

"The NCCSL was set up in 1948 to support local entrepreneurs and this new facility has enhanced our capacity," he said.

Hettigoda commended the President for the continuous support provided by the Government for local industries. Policies formulated by the government to achieve self-sufficiency in rice, milk and other export substitution efforts and tax concessions and other budgetary support directly benefited local businesses.

Huge Government investments on infrastructure facilities has created a conductive environment to develop the local economy.

Export promotion programs initiated by the Government including trade exhibitions have helped local companies to exploit the export market.

The new auditorium will be used by the NCCSL to enhance its capacity and empower the SME sector, Hettigoda said.

GW