NCE improves export awards scheme

by Naalir Jamaldeen

The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) of Sri Lanka will soon pick the winners for its 21st NCE Export Awards competition. The chamber has received 146 applications this year. The NCE serves to recognise excellence in exports, NCE, President, Jagath Peiris said.

He said that the structure and content of the awards scheme has been refined and improved over the years with the inclusion of new criteria and features, to become the benchmark for similar awards and schemes.

Award winners will be selected from three major sectors such as export products, export business and professional services and suppliers and service providers to exporters, according to Peiris.

Gold, silver and bronze awards and merit certificates will be presented to various products and services sub sectors based on benchmarks decided by an independent professional panel of judges and on the standard of achievement of applicant in the particular year, he said.

The overall winner in respect of a particular product or service sector comprising all enterprises in the small, medium, large and extra large categories, will receive the outstanding exporter sector gold award.

Best women exporters, best Sri Lankan brand exporter and most 'value-added' exporter will receive awards, he said.

This year the chamber has added three more awards to meet current needs, gold award for the best SME exporter and best exporter in emerging markets, Peiris said.