NCE congratulates UNF, Prime Minister elect

• Urges priority to export-led growth

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE), in a statement yesterday congratulated the United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) led by Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister elect on its convincing victory following a peaceful general election.  

“This victory should enable the Government to accelerate the development of the country in an environment of good governance, law and order, transparency, and equality, which was begun on 8 January this year following the Presidential Election,” the NCE said.

The NCE which is the only private sector chamber which exclusively serves, and represents Sri Lankan exporters as the ‘Voice of the Exporter’, has been encouraged by the positive statements made by leaders of the Government during the election campaign, recognising the vital contribution made by exports to the economic development of Sri Lanka.   

In this context the chamber is pleased to note that the Government will give utmost priority to export led growth, by creating a dynamic environment, with the necessary incentives and assistance to export enterprises, as well as to attract foreign direct investments in a substantial way for dynamic export led growth, transfer of technology, exploit export markets, and create employment opportunities in the country, to achieve the new employment target of one million of the government during the next five years. 

The chamber would also expect the Government to provide reasonable protection and assistance to local enterprises to play a dynamic role in a competitive environment of export led growth for sustainable development.

The chamber which has a membership of over 500 export enterprises including some of the big export houses in Sri Lanka, as well as a large number of SMEs, who generate more than half of Sri Lanka’s export earnings, stands ready to extend its fullest cooperation to the Government to develop and implement dynamic and comprehensive export strategies and programs to accelerate economic development in Sri Lanka, during the next five years, as envisaged in the manifesto of the UNFGG.

The chamber trusts policy makers of the Government will consult the chamber during all stages of development and implementation of its export led programs of action.