HDCC and Manchester Solutions celebrate 10th anniversary of partnership

Following the tsunami on 26 December 2004, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) and its service delivery company, Manchester Solutions (now known as Manchester Growth Company-MGC), took a decision to invest in a program to support the economic re-development of tsunami-affected areas. 

Research was carried out in Asia to find a suitable organisation with whom relationships could be built to achieve the most value for a given area.  Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) in Sri Lanka was approached, due to the fact that it is a key and well-respected player regionally and nationally in Sri Lanka and is regarded as one of the most advanced and developed district-chambers in the country.

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the successful partnership between HDCC and MGC, which won the World Chamber Competition for the Best Networking Project in 2009 at the sixth World Chamber Congress.

For 10 years the two Chambers have been working closely on a series of development projects associated with both the development of the Hambantota District as well as of HDCC itself. Three primary objectives were decided upon in 2005 which centered on working together to promote long-term economic re-development in the Hambantota District, supporting the organisational development and success of HDCC, and developing mutual links between the two Chambers and their members. 

Substantial progress has been made since then through the commitment of staff time and expertise. HDCC and MS have worked closely on a number of development projects: an Economic Development Strategy, tourism development, the careers service centre development, and within HDCC the development of human resource systems and staff development programs, IT resources, systems and infrastructure, membership and membership services, and financial management capacity and systems.

The project has been especially innovative since not only has it formed the first major Chamber-to-Chamber partnership for both Chambers, but it has identified and developed a new model for progressing international development partnerships.

It has involved a long-term commitment to sharing expertise and resource rather than just a one-off financial contribution. International exchanges have also been made, where staff have worked in-situ on developing new skills, approaches, experience and new relationships. Long lasting personal friendships have consequently been built which can only strengthen the partnership further. 

Two organisations look forward to working together in the future.