CIM commemorates 'Chartered Marketer'

As The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) celebrated the momentous 10th year anniversary of the "Chartered Marketer" status, CIM Sri Lanka Region organised its annual Fellows' and Chartered Marketers' Night, to coincide with the commemoration held earlier this month in Birmingham, UK.

Dr. Richard Vokes,

The Fellows' and Chartered Marketers' Night - one of the apex and exclusive events in the calendar of The Chartered Institute of Marketing Sri Lanka Region - was held recently at the invitation of the Chairman, Shiraz Latiff and graced by Dr. Richard Vokes, Country Director, Asian Development Bank - the Chief Guest at the ceremony.

1n 1998, CIM was granted the Royal Assent by Queen Elizabeth to offer the "Chartered" status to members who complete The Institute's Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme. The Institute is the only professional organisation able to offer the Chartered Marketer title. Nearly 4,472 CIM members in over 80 countries around the world hold this elite status while another 2,551 are undertaking continuing professional development. Presently, there are 188 Chartered Marketers in Sri Lanka, a press release states.

At this year's Fellows' and Chartered Marketers' Night, 43 new Chartered Marketers were invested while 7 Fellows and senior Chartered Marketers, namely, Hemaka Amarasuriya, Dr. Rohan Fernando, Marina Tharamaratnam, Ravi Fernando, Nushad Perera, Indrajit Wickramasinghe and Tharaka Ranwala were felicitated for their significant contribution towards gaining recognition for the marketing profession in the country.

Chairman, CIM Sri Lanka Region Shiraz Latiff inaugurating the forum highlighted the importance of Continuous Professional Development and the role of Chartered Marketers in earning recognition for the marketing profession. As he congratulated the new Chartered Marketers, he invited all CIM Members in Sri Lanka to continue with progress in their professional careers together with The Institute and reach the pinnacle as Chartered Marketers.

President, CIM Sri Lanka Region Amal Cabraal urged that marketers need to appreciate the wider organizational perspective in order to widen their role at the strategic level in organizations.

Richard Vokes revealed that the country's economy had sustained a robust growth despite the 25 year conflict, owing to the significant contribution by the efficient and modern private sector. Strategic location, booming modern trade, potential for tourism industry and potential for commercial agriculture were some of the other strengths.