NCE to enrol 100 prospective SME exporters during 2014
Tuesday, 20 May 2014 00:00
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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.
SMEs play a vital role in the economy of Sri Lanka. Many SMEs 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.
In the above context the council of the Chamber has emphasised the need for the Chamber to work closely with the SMEs having potential to be developed to become direct exporters or suppliers and service providers to exporters.
Accordingly the Chamber has decided to implement a project to assist SMEs with export potential who had been identified by the EDB for participation at the Trade exhibition during the CHOGM. This is a one-time offer where selected SME enterprises will be given special free membership of the chamber for a one year period. During this period, selected SMEs will have the opportunity of working closely with the Chamber related to its development programs as well as with some leading exporters.
30 SME Exporters have been identified to be included in the first batch for the first round of meetings to be held on 28 May 2014 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 on 28 May 2014 the 30 selected members will be 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 SMEs 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 SMEs is given below:
nGroup discussions to create awareness regarding the benefits of exporting at which Directors of NCE and leading exporters will participate as resource persons
nTraining on export procedures and applicable regulations etc.
nAddress issues faced by SME enterprises
nAssistance to identify buyers for their products and services to develop their business
nAssistance to develop product brochures/business plan/websites etc.
nAssistance to develop suitable packaging
nAssistance to display products in Trade Exhibitions
nCommunicate with Sri Lankan missions and Overseas Chambers regarding their products and services
nAdvice and assistance to prepare documents required for export
nRepresenting issues of SME enterprises to relevant state institutions
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 clarification.
