Professional ethics will bring prosperity - Dr. Amunugama

Professionals must use ethics and professionalism to develop the economy and bring prosperity to the nation, said Investment Promotion and Enterprise Development Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama.

He was addressing the inaugural session of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) National Conference 2007 on 'Creating the DNA of Tomorrow's Professional'.

Dr. Amunugama said professionals play a pivotal role in developing businesses, the economy and the nation. Professionals must be the change agents to conquer the challenges of the changing world and sustain growth in all sectors.

CEO Dialog Telekom Dr. Hans Wijeyasuriya in his keynote address said professionalism and ethics are not only the heart of the conference but also the core of ACCA's new qualification.

President ACCA Sri Lanka Dilshan Rodrigo said the challenge for companies is to move out of their safety zones with a vision to develop a socially responsible model. He said Microsoft Chief Bill Gates has urged his company to rethink of its model if it is to exist for the next two years.

"Individuals need to have the right attitude and the government should provide the correct leadership. As a nation if we are not prepared to learn we will trudge while others run', Rodrigo said.

He said building a business model starts with details. To reach professionalism, conviction and commitment to the task are important.

The ACCA National Conference is the central event of ACCA's calendar. This year's conference will be the platform of ACCA's innovative qualification which gives prominence to ethics, examinations and experience.

ACCA is the fastest growing global professional body with over 290,000 students and 115,000 members in 170 countries.

LF