SLCBCC opens Business Star Awards 2012 to all

By Shanuka Tissera

Sri Lanka China Business Cooperation Council has launched the ‘SLCBCC Business Star Awards 2012’ in a big way this year by opening the competition to any company conducting trade between Sri Lanka and China. The official announcement was made on Wednesday (20) at the Galadari hotel in a bid to show appreciation for the performance of enterprises engaged in business activities with China and who have made significant achievements while keeping to good business ethics.

SLCBCC Executive Committee Members from left: Aravintha Kumar – Steering Committee, Nimal Wijetunga – ExCo member, Nihal Mallikaaratchi – President, Lucien D Pereira – Editor, Emil Kronemberg – Vice President and Deshamanya A.A. Piyasena – ExCo member–Pic by Daminda Harsha Perera

The objective and purpose of this event is to encourage and stimulate entrepreneurs to do more business with China and in turn, strengthen bilateral business relationships between the two countries. In evaluating entries, the Council will look into the quality of products, the companies’ vision and mission, progressive growth, the use of new technology, leadership and contributions towards environmental protection.

SLCBCC boasts being Sri Lanka’s first business cooperation council who help organise sending business delegations to China and vice versa. The very well recognised Council has strong relationships with the Sri Lankan Government and with the Peoples Republic of China. With imports 98% higher than exports, the business Council is now trying to increase the number companies in Sri Lanka to trade with China. An issue discussed at the meeting was how Sri Lanka has become a ‘dumping ground’ for China and how the SLCBCC can help alleviate this. SLCBCC President Nihal Mallikaaratchi explained how there is very little quality checks for products entering the Sri Lankan market, this is due to the opening of the economy therefore making it difficult to compete. “It is up to the Government of Sri Lanka to enforce greater restrictions on the quality of goods being imported,” he then went on to add how the SLCBCC conduct annual seminars on how to do business with China, however it was agreed upon by the board that until the mentality changes, nothing else will.

Preliminary judging will be conducted during the last week of July and finalists will be selected by early August. The competition will be separated into three categories, small, medium and large and each category will split into; importers, exporters, manufacturers and service provides. 36 awards are up for grabs ranging from bronze to gold with the pinnacle award named the platinum star, for the overall winner.

The awards ceremony will be held on 16 Augusts at the ‘Grand Ballroom of Galadari hotel, commencing at 7p.m. in the presence of a distinguished gathering.