NCCSL takes business delegation to Jaffna

A business delegation comprising 43 members, representing diverse industry sectors of the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) held a meeting with the business community in Jaffna from July 16-19. The delegation headed by Deputy President of the NCCSL Asoka Hettigoda. He was accompanied by Hony. Secretary Tilak Godamanna, immediate Past President D. Eassuwaren and Secretary General E. M. Wijetillake.

The delegates had meetings with the members of the business community in Jaffna representing the Jaffna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yalpanam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Jaffna Women's Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agribusiness and the Government Officers at the GA's Office.

Minister of Industrial Development Kumara Welgama, Secretary to the Ministry of Industrial Development Piyatillake and other government officials also participated in the meetings with the District Chambers on July 17.

The main areas of focus were setting up of business pertaining to agro-based industries, transportation, logistics, manufacturing of machinery, business financing, hospitals and clinics both Western and Ayurveda medicine, power sector light engineering telecommunication, infrastructure, setting up of branch offices and appointment of agents and distributors.

However, the business community in Jaffna and Colombo were concerned about the transportation of goods and persons to and from Colombo. They were concerned about the limited access of the A9-Road and the time delays in travelling to and from Jaffna.

The Minister said that the area was liberated a month ago and the Government is taking every step to open the A9 road as early as possible as the clearing of landmines is continuing and to make A9 a safe passage to cargo transport and for public to travel freely. Hettigoda said the main objective of the delegation was to develop businesses in the Jaffna peninsula with the help of Chamber members in Colombo so that the Jaffna peninsula can be developed economically while making Jaffna the business hub in the North. The NCCSL has planned to support many small and medium entrepreneurs who are engaged in various manufacturing activities by providing the capital to purchase equipment for them to re-start or expand their businesses through the Business Promotion Fund of the National Chamber of Commerce sponsored by the Royal Netherlands Embassy. NCCSL, who has already supported over 700 SME's under this scheme.

The NCCSL was supported by the Jaffna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yalpanam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Jaffna Women's Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agribusiness in organizing this tour to Jaffna.

A security briefing meeting was organized by the Security Forces Commander Major General Mendaka Samarasinghe who gave a thorough insight into the demographics, security situation and current business environment. The Security Forces and the Police assisted the NCCSL delegation in all transport matters.