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| Tuesday, 1 March 2005 |
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Chamber Confederation calls Govt's to enhance business mobility The Conference for the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), held for the 20th occasion, came to an end on February 18th 2005. CACCI, which includes the biggest grouping of businessmen from 23 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, called on governments in the Asia-Pacific region to work individually and collectively to enhance business mobility, as an essential part of their efforts to improve international trade, commerce and investment. The Conference was inaugurated by Minister of State of the Prime Minister's Office, India, Prithviraj Chavan. In a statement issued at the end of its 20th Conference, CACCI stressed that commerce and industry requires predictable, simple and transparent immigration laws, policies and practices, applied in a consistent manner by governments. CACCI urged governments in the region to progressively liberalise their laws, regulations, policies and practices governing the movement of business people; simplify and make more transparent information about such requirements; and streamline administrative arrangements for the movement of business people across borders, consistent with domestic capacities. CACCI, which appoints a primary body in each of its Member countries, has chosen the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce as its primary member in Sri Lanka. Representing the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at the Conference were, Mr. Prema Cooray, Secretary General/CEO, and Ms. Lelakshini De Mel, Senior Assistant Secretary General. This year's Conference offered CCC a prominent role, where Prema Cooray was invited to make a presentation on 'Tsunami, lessons to learn', a burning issue affecting some parts of Asia. Cooray's presentation on disaster responsiveness and management of disaster struck areas was well acknowledged by the other Members. Cooray, who is also an eminent figure in the Tourism Industry, was appointed Chair of the CACCI's Tourism Council, at this year's conference. Hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and attended by some 250 delegates from 22 Asia-Pacific countries, the 20th CACCI Conference carried the theme Strategies for Sustainable Growth in the Asia-Pacific Region. Eminent personalities spoke on various topics relevant to the theme. Government policies and business strategies were discussed to ensure that Asia continues to be an attractive place for investors. The progress achieved so far in the areas of trade liberalization and trade facilitation, and the remaining challenges facing Asia's governments and businesses in undertaking trade reforms were also addressed. The speakers examined policies and business strategies that SMEs in Asia's developing economies need to adopt so as to benefit from the globalization of today's markets. The driving forces, challenges and the elements of successful corporate restructuring within an Asian context were also explored. CACCI called on developed countries and relevant international institutions - such as APEC, ADB, and the World Bank - to provide useful capacity building and technical assistance to less developed countries in the Asia-Pacific region, in a manner which would facilitate trade, commerce and investments and help improve their sustained international competitiveness. |
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