Chambers hail President Rajapakse's victory

BUSINESS leaders and Chambers officials have hailed the victory of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse on his election as the fifth Executive President of Sri Lanka.

Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) President Nawaz Rajabdeen said that the people have again elected a politician emerged from grass roots having an impressive and multi-disciplinary political career who is considered a man from the masses as their leader for the next six years.

"President Rajapakse who is having a similar profile and background to late President Ranasinghe Premadasa is expected to bring benefits and relief to the common masses in the process of his economic development initiatives," he said.

The FCCISL is hopeful that the new President will implement the socio-economic development strategy and vision outlined in Mahinda Chinthana.

The President will have to take the bull by horns and address burning issues such as creating durable and honourable peace, accelerating economic development process, maintaining law and order and creating just and equitable society.

As a leading private sector representative body, the Federation will extend support and blessings to the new President on any pro-private sector policies and far reaching economic reforms in order to accelerate the economic development process in the country.

A balance between maintaining a high level of FDI flow while stimulating the development of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector is one of the key economic challenges that FCCISL would like to draw the attention of the new President.

Special emphasis should be given to agricultural development; animal husbandry and fisheries sectors, which have been neglected by every successive governments.

A fast track development of these sectors will have a positive impact on poverty alleviation, rural income generation, employment creation and value added exports.

"The private sector should be consulted and effectively involved in such development process to make it sustainable in the long run," he added Joint Business Forum (JBIZ) Chairman and National Chamber of Exporters President Kingsley Bernard while congratulating the new President said he should now implement economic development proposals spelled out by him earlier.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) assures the new President of their cooperation and support in steering Sri Lanka to its fullest potential.

The CCC in a release states that it wished to appeal to all political parties, interest groups and other stakeholders to put aside differences and unite under the leadership of the new President to usher in an era of peace, stability and growth.

While congratulating the new President we look forward with optimism to his leadership in taking Sri Lanka towards a lasting peace, a strong economy, full employment and prosperity for all.

We look forward to working with the newly elected President and his Government to usher in an era of peace and prosperity for all Sri Lankans.

The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka NCCSL pledged their support and co-operation towards his endeavours to take the country forward to peace and prosperity.

As a Chamber, our role is to promote and strengthen the Business Sector, which, we are happy to note, that President Mahinda Rajapakse has identified, as "the engine of growth".

We look forward to the continuation of the present economic policies and a conducive environment within which businesses can operate. The President has stated that he is "Business and Entrepreneur friendly" which is greatly welcomed.

The NCCSL is confident that the pressing issues presently facing the country will be immediately addressed by the new President, primarily, taking the Peace Process forward in order to achieve a sustainable solution to the ethnic issue.

The strengthening of the infrastructure in the country, particularly undertaking the major infrastructure projects relating to power and transport, as well as the strengthening of the agricultural sector will support the planned economic growth.

Steps have also been planned to develop the local entrepreneurs and uplift the small and medium industries sector which will greatly help the economic development and the employment creation in the country especially in the rural sector.

As indicated by the President we also look forward to attention being given to maintain law and order in the country.

The Private Sector looks forward to being a part of the consultative process in the development plans for the country and the continuation of the public private partnership to take the country forward.