NCCSL welcomes All Party Consensus on peace building

PRESIDENT National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) Nirmali Samaratunga commend President Mahinda Rajapakse's initiative to summon an All Party Conference which is the beginning of a Southern consensus building and a bipartisan support in the peace making efforts.

Speaking at their 47th Annual General Meeting she commended the Government for its restraint in upholding the Ceasefire Agreement in the face of the violations.

"The consultative process now needs to be taken forward," she said.

"All relevant parties need to be consistent in their efforts from now on to arrive at an equitable solution.

'The momentum in working out a solution should not only be sustained, but increased in the days ahead. "On our part the Chamber pledges its fullest support to the President in his efforts to bring about a peaceful solution to the conflict," she said.

"It is imperative for us as a Business Community to come forward in this hour of need.

'We need to mobilise on the inherent strengths of the Private Sector, referred to recently by outgoing U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Lunstead as "risk taking, decision making and negotiating", in the cause of peace and prosperity, with the national interest uppermost, and to take an abiding interest in the current status of the Peace Process and plan an active role in both promoting and educating the country on the benefits of success and the consequences of the failure."

'To be effective, we also need to speak with one voice and present a unified approach, as "unity is strength". Here the J-Biz Forum being the Joint Body consisting of representatives of all keys Chambers has already called for peace talks to commence, in view of the escalating violence.

'However, it could play a more pro-active role if strengthened by the input of the member Chambers all acting together jointly on this issue and speaking with one voice and jointly participating in dialogue with Government as the representatives of the Business Sector.

A key national issue such as this requires a joint approach especially in the dialogue with the Government.

"Notwithstanding the uncertainities the country still has to move forward.

'The initiatives outlined in the Mahinda Chinthanaya , focusing on economic growth through poverty alleviation by taking development to the regions, strengthening infrastructure, building the SME and Agriculture Sector to strengthen the Country's resource base and a new economic policy intergrating the positive attributes of the Free Market Economy with domestic aspirations whilst also encouraging foreign investments, are welcomed by the Business Sector and are laudable proposals.

The challenge facing the Government would be, to now translate these economic policies into a workable plan and to implement them successfully.' This is vital if the country is to achieve the targeted 8% growth."

"The Nipayum Lanka 300 Factories Programme launched a few days ago under the Mahinda Chinthana Programme by the BOI under the auspices of the Ministry of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion is a far reaching and commendable initiative.

'Looking ahead, the economic outlook for 2006 is positive. Whilst 2005 is expected to record a growth of 5.5%, official projections for 2006 have been projected around 6% with the favourable economic environment continuing.

'Looking ahead, we plan to continue and consolidate the several initiatives commenced in the previous year.

Our programme for 2006 will target both the Agriculture and Export Sector, and will include specific activities to develop the Value Added products in these sectors , specifically relating to organic products and IT services namely Business Process Outsourcing and Software Development.'