NCE engages in outreach program related to 25th Anniversary of Annual Export Awards

In line with an initiative of the NCE Council, the Chamber has embarked on an outreach program covering selected regional chambers with a view to identify from among their member enterprises those who could apply for recognition and conferment of special awards at the awards ceremony to be held in September in Colombo. This initiative will also enable regional enterprises especially in the SME category to benchmark their progress and achievements, in the field of exports.

In this regard a delegation of officials of the Chamber led by Secretary General Shiham Marikar visited Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the Kandy District, Jaffna District, and the Trincomalee District from 25 to 27 January, to brief the officials and members of the Regional Chambers on the benefits of applying for a Special Award, and the process of application.

During the visit the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Central Province indicated its interest to encourage their members who are direct exporters of products and services as well as indirect exporters to apply for awards. It was noted that members of this Regional Chamber who will be particularly interested are in respect of fresh fruits and vegetables in the agriculture sector, those engaged in the batik industry, wood carving, and handicrafts, as well as those in the ornamental fish segment. In this regard the Chamber officials have been requested to visit specific producers and cultivators in the villages of the district.

The other Chamber visited in the Central Province was the Women Chamber of Industries and Commerce whose members had indicated their keen interest to apply for awards, particular in keeping with the desire of the chamber to encourage women to effectively contribute to the economic development of the country through exports.

During the visit to the Trincomalee District it was noteworthy that the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of the Trincomalee District conducted its Entrepreneur Awards at which Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake was the Chief Guest, and NCE Secretary General Shiham Marikar was the Guest of Honour, to handover awards to the winners. 

Separate meetings were held by the Chamber Officials with the relevant officials of the district and members of the district Chamber to brief regarding the Export Awards program. It was specially noted that the Chamber in the Trincomalee District has a special wing for women entrepreneurs. The director of this wing indicated the interest of women entrepreneurs who are connected to the export value chain to apply for export awards.

The Yalpanam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIY) in the Jaffna District has been working closely with the NCE in the past on a project to link producers in the district with member exporters of the NCE to supply their products for export. As such at the discussions at the Yalpanam Chamber it had been decided to communicate with their members regarding the desirability of applying for awards. 

Overall the officials of the regional Chambers have also indicated to the NCE the need to enter in-to an MOU with a view to streamline the process of collaborating with the NCE in regard to the Annual Export Awards, and other activities.