NCE organises special project to assist potential exporters

Tuesday, 1 July 2014 02:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) is the only private sector chamber which serves Sri Lankan exporters and service providers to exporters. At present the Chamber has over 450 member companies of which 90% are exporters and the rest are service providers to exporters. The member companies represent all products and most service sectors. The main objective of the chamber is to encourage and foster development of exporters from Sri Lanka.

Potential exporters play a vital role in the economy of Sri Lanka. Many of them have the potential to be developed as direct exporters and service providers to exporters, to expand exports from Sri Lanka, as well as to play a more meaningful role in the economy. Thirty potential exporters participated in the first and second batch rounds of initial discussions which were held on 28 May and 18 June at the conference room of the chamber. As enrolled NCE members, they will benefit through a wide range of services that would assist them in the development of their export businesses. During the meetings, the 30 selected members were given the opportunity to engage with a panel headed by the President of the Chamber, Product Sectoral Heads and other professionals from the export sector in Sri Lanka. At the end of the one year period selected potential exporters will be given the opportunity to join the chamber, as full or associate members, or opt out of the program. An outline of the services that will be made available to potential exporters are as below:

Group discussions to create awareness regarding the benefits of exporting at which Directors of NCE and leading exporters will participate as resource personnel
Training on export procedures and applicable regulations etc.
Address issues faced by SME enterprises
Assistance to identify buyers for their products and services to develop their business
Assistance to develop product brochures/business plan/websites etc.
Assistance to develop suitable packaging
Assistance to display products in trade exhibitions
Communicate with Sri Lankan missions and overseas chambers regarding their products and services
Advice and assistance to prepare documents required for export
Representing issues of the enterprises to relevant state institutions

National Development Bank (NDB) has partnered with the NCE to support potential exporters. NDB has been working with businesses in the small and medium sector for over 30 years, acting as an apex agency to channel credit lines from international sources, and financing over

90,000 projects directly and indirectly. Scanwell Logistics has joined hands with the NCE as logistics partner for this event. They will assist potential exporters on the benefits of exporting through freight forwarding, considerations in selecting a freight forwarder, freight process, issues faced in freight forwarding etc. The participants comprised representatives from the tea, handicrafts, recycled paper, food, spices and jewellery sectors. The discussion focused on the importance of quality and quality certification of products and services, export procedure, packaging, identification of reliable buyers etc. The participants clarified their concerns related to exports with the panel. The feedback from the participants was positive, and they were interested in participating at future events as well. The Third round of the series of discussions will be held on 10 July at the NCE Conference room. SMEs with export potential interested in the program may contact Kasthuri or Chandana on 4344221/4344219 or email [email protected] to register or for further information and clarifications.