AmCham empowers Lankan companies

Tuesday, 24 September 2013 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

More than 40 CEOs, compliance officers, and business associations participated in an AMCHAM-organised luncheon seminar focused on unfair US competition laws and the importance of using legal and properly licensed software and hardware in their operations. The seminar, entitled “US unfair competition laws: Impact and opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters to the USA,” zoomed in on new legal trends in promoting fair competition on a global scale. The speakers shared information on how companies with properly licensed software can leverage their compliance as a competitive advantage in the global supply chain. For example, manufacturers that take timely measures to certify legal IT will enhance their reputation, safeguard their businesses, avoid costly litigation or seizures of goods, and obtain a competitive advantage against their non-compliant competitors. “It is important that our membership, as well as the local business community and associations representing garment and manufacturing companies exporting to the United States, are aware of the international business climate and increased focus on fair competition,” said AMCHAM President Vijaya Ratnayake.

“Multinational corporations want to do business with companies that comply with the highest standards of IP, legal, and ethical compliance, and Sri Lankan businesses that do so will rise to the top of the stack,” Ratnayake added. AMCHAM initiated this program as part of its ongoing intellectual property rights (IPR) campaigns and its objective of promoting the highest standards of business ethics among its member companies. Speakers included the US Embassy’s Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs Allison Areias-Vogel, who reflected positively on the overall reduction of software piracy in Sri Lanka and the opportunities for compliant companies to distinguish themselves as world-class partners. Microsoft Corporation General Manager, South East Asia Jamie Harper spoke on the topic of “Partnering with Sri Lanka: Our joint journey toward the emerging wonder of Asia.” In the United States, the majority of states and the Federal Trade Commission agree that the use of illegal IT, including computer software, gives companies an unfair advantage. They have indicated a willingness to use existing or new unfair competition laws to address this issue and create a more level playing field. For example, a US State Attorney General recently took enforcement actions against two apparel manufacturers in China and India that were using illegal software to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the production of clothing imported and sold in California. “We particularly hope that this seminar has provided some insight into the opportunities that accompany being a compliant supplier,” said Albert Kim, a speaker and US lawyer at the law firm of Sudath Perera Associates. “Although some might view these new laws purely in enforcement terms, I think it is important to emphasise that through compliance, Sri Lankan companies can shine as manufacturers of high integrity, thereby increasing their attractiveness to international partners,” Kim concluded.