CCC provides great opportunities for businessmen and investors

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), the premier business chamber in Sri Lanka with a history of over 173 years, has earned the respect of business communities both at home and overseas for improvement of businesses.

The CCC currently serves a direct membership of over 500 well established organisations and through its 42 affiliated associations and bilateral business councils, it has an outreach of over 3,000 respected organisations in Sri Lanka.

Speaking on the services provided by the CCC, Ayoni Waniganayake, Senior Assistant Secretary General in charge of membership development stated: “Our specialised services to the membership create a gateway to a world of trade and investment opportunities. Those who avail of our services have been successful in penetrating into new markets and enhancing their existing market bases.”

Services such as facilitating overseas business contacts, organising overseas business promotion missions, introductory letters to overseas chambers to members undertaking business tours to market their products and services, facilitating participation at local and overseas trade fairs which are considered as vital trade promotion tools, are a few of the many trade promotion services handled by the CCC.

The seminars and workshops organised by the Chamber on diverse subjects related to economic issues, are designed specifically to assist businesses to understand the intricacies and requirements of trade and commerce in taking their business forward and keeping abreast of global developments.

In addition, the CCC also acts as a link between the Government and the business sector, makes representations on behalf of its members in trade related issues, facilitates participation at international training programs sponsored by recognised international organisations and assists in resolving disputes through commercial mediation and arbitration.

Furthermore, CCC is the sole national authority for issuance of GS1 barcodes in Sri Lanka and the first Chamber in Sri Lanka to be authorised by the Government to register commercial documents such as certificates of origin, commercial invoices, agency agreements, outside survey reports, endorsement of Saudi visa letters, etc. All these services are provided to members at concessionary rates.

The Foreign Trade Information Division, which is an integral part of the CCC, is well equipped with trained and experienced staff who have the capacity to provide businesses with tailor made information packages according to their requirements. The Economic Intelligence Unit of the CCC keeps the members abreast of the current economic scenario.

“To benefit from all these valuable services, we invite non members to visit us and evaluate the effectiveness of our services and how they would benefit their organisations, and if satisfied, join as a member,” said Waniganayake.

For further details on the services of the CCC and membership details, those interested could get in touch with Ayoni Waniganayake, Senior Assistant Secretary General on 2449190 or 5588804.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is an effective spokesman of the Sri Lankan business sector. Founded in 1839, the institution has been the focal point for business contacts both locally and abroad for over 173 years.

It has many specialised committees, affiliated associations and 21 bilateral business councils promoting international business. Its members serve on various institutions and committees set up by the Government and the private sector.