Regional Chamber Presidents’ Conference 2009:

Reaffirms economic development efforts

The second Regional Chambers Presidents’ Conference concluded successfully at Earls Regency Hotel, Kandy with Chamber Presidents reaffirming their commitment towards economic development of the country but reiterated the importance of reasonable tax reforms for them to ensure rapid growth.

The chief guest of the conference Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said “private sector is the engine of growth of the country’s economy and we should be happy that we could go forward in this development path as a united country without any fear and instability. the presence of Northern and Southern Chamber Presidents at this forum is a clear evidence of this.

He said that Sri Lanka could become a highly developed country in the Asian region as we have removed the backwardness from our minds and the policy of the Government supports the private public partnership in development efforts.

This conference was an initiative of Amal Piyathilaka, President of the Anuradhapura district Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture (ADCCI and A) and was first held in Anuradhapura in October 2008. It is facilitated by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) under the Regional Chambers Sri Lanka Project supported by the Governments of Norway and Sweden and The Asia Foundation.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Central Province (CCICP) along with the Anuradhapura District Chamber of Commerce jointly organized the Conference in Kandy.

President of CCICP, Anuruddha Warnakula said that the Chamber Presidents Conference is undoubtedly will be very beneficial for the industrial and the business sectors in the country.

This as an important forum to address regional economic development strategies as well as address all obstacles and ways of handling them.

Anuruddha Warnakula subsequently took over the Chairmanship of the Presidents’ conference from the outgoing Chairman Amal Piyathilaka.

V. Radhakrishnan Minister of Industries of Central Province, said that he appreciates the unity of Chamber Presidents all over the country. He said “there are no more minorities in country now. Businessmen should work on a professional and well planned manner to develop their enterprises.

Development of the enterprises is the backbone of our economy.

Government will give the fullest cooperation towards the enterprise development carried out by the local entrepreneurs.”

Mayor of Kandy, L. B. Aluvihare said that with the third generation business heads, a revolutionized business approaches have been introduced with strong business networks established which is vital for any businesses. He said that the chambers have the responsibility of working with the Government in broadening the existing tax payer base ensuring no undue pressure and burden applied on existing regular tax payers.

President of FCCISL Kosala Wickramanayake said that FCCISL is always committed to uplift the regional economies and with the right peaceful atmosphere created it is the overall business responsibility to strengthen the regional economies and contribute to the national economy.

He said that this gathering of North South East West Chamber heads in a common gathering is a very positive sign of a prosperous Sri Lanka.

The network of District and Provincial Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Sri Lanka represents the trade and industrial community including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which form the backbone of the economy of Sri Lanka.

These Regional Chambers play a crucial and pioneering role in regional economic and business development process, working in partnership with the public sector and political authorities at district, province and national levels. S. J. S. Chandraguptha Additional Secretary of Ministry of Enterprise Development and Enterprise Promotion, P. B. Dissanayake Chief Executive Director of the ADCCI and A, Amal Piyathilaka President ADCCI and A also address the gathering.

Nilan Fernando Country Representative of The Asia Foundation, Sam Stembo Assistant Secretary General of FCCISL also graced the occasion.