20th Annual NCE Export Awards launched

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) launched the 20th Annual NCE Exports Awards with the invaluable support of its sponsors.

The Annual Export Awards conducted by the NCE is a high profile and looked-forward-to event in the business calendar of Sri Lanka. The NCE, the only chamber exclusively serving Sri Lankan exporters, is the ‘Voice of Exporters’.

Unveiling of the NCE Export Awards trophy by Dr. Jagath Peiris – NCE President and Chandika Vitharana, Senior General Manager of Sales and Distribution, Mobitel. Others in the picture from left: Shiham Marikar – Director Trade Promotion, NCE; Rasa Weerasingham – Executive Director, NCE; Sarada M. De Silva – Vice President, NCE; Mangala P.B. Yapa – Vice President, NCE; Ganaka Amarasinghe – Incoming Chairman, Panel of Judges; Patrick Amarasinghe – Founder President, NCE; and Geofrey Tillakaratne – Director Members Services, NCE and Chairman of the Awards Committee

The chamber has been conducting this event since 1993 without a break, to recognise and reward export excellence of Sri Lankan exporters, who make an indispensable and vital contribution to sustain and expand the economy. The event is one of the signal contributions made by the chamber to the export development effort of Sri Lanka.

A noteworthy feature of the Awards Scheme is its refinement over the years with the inclusion of several value-added features, to become the benchmark for awards schemes in Sri Lanka.  With the opening of the doors of the scheme a couple of years ago to non-member exporters as well, the number of applicants vying for awards has shown a marked increase, especially in the export business and professional services Sector. This year too the chamber received a higher number of applications compared to the previous year.

Award winners are selected from each of the three undernoted major sections:

nExport of products

nExport of business and professional services

nSuppliers and service providers to exporters

Awards are given for the various product and service subsectors in the form of Gold, Silver and Bronze trophies as well as merit certificates based on the standard of achievement.  If applicants in a particular subsector do not reach the benchmark set, awards are not made for that particular product or service subsector.

The overall winner of a particular product or service sector comprising all sizes of enterprises receives Outstanding Exporter Gold Award – Sector wise. Special Gold awards are given to the Best Sri Lankan Brand Exporter, Best Woman Exporter, the Most Innovative Exporter and Most Value Adding Exporter.

The most coveted award is the Gold award won by the Most Outstanding Exporter of the Year. The Runner-up receives the Most Outstanding Exporter Silver award.

The glamour and prestige achieved by this unique event would not have been possible without the magnanimous contributions made by the sponsors of the event.