CCC "relevant and effective" throughout its 173 years

Established in March 1839, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) marked 173 years of dedicated and effective service to the business community in Sri Lanka, on March 25th. Having earned its position as the foremost Chamber through effective services and continuously striving to enhance enterprises, the CCC has over the years persisted to maintain its position as the premier Chamber in Sri Lanka. Through its continuous development focus, CCC has become more strategic, proactive, universal and dynamic. The Chamber's inclusiveness and effectiveness are amply reflected in its membership whose total contribution to the economy of Sri Lanka exceeds 60% of the GDP.

Speaking of the contribution of the Ceylon Chamber for 173 years, Harin Malwatte, Secretary General/CEO of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said, "We at the Ceylon Chamber strongly believe that 'relevancy drives longevity' and we make it our mission to find out on a daily basis what it takes to remain relevant in the face of constant changes in the world markets. Being sensitive to the requirements of the day and thereby being able to assist our members in facing the demands in remaining competitive, has made this Chamber the true champion in Sri Lanka, in this field of work".

Dilith Jayaweera

Nirmali Samaratunga

Sanjeewa Samaranayake

The CCC has expanded its network, both locally and overseas, which assists them immensely in serving their membership with quality service. The world-wide respect earned by the Chamber over the years has made it the first choice for any external organization to seek an alliance with. The wide range of services backed by the quality staff of the CCC, is unmatched by any other in the same field, in the country.

Harin Malwatte, spoke with CCC's most senior members George Steuart and Company Limited and Mackwoods, who has been members since 1846 and 1847 respectively and Hemas Pharmaceuticals one of the most junior, having joined the CCC in 2011. Malwatte also spoke with Dilith Jayaweera, Group Chairman of George Steuart and Company (GS), Nirmali Samaratunga, Co-Chairman/Joint Managing Director, Mackwoods (MW) and Sanjeewa Samaranayake, Managing Director, Hemas Pharmaceuticals (HP) to evaluate its services to the business community.

Both George Steuart and Mackwoods has been pioneer members of the CCC. Being with the CCC for over 160 years, how do you evaluate its services and what benefits did your organization derive by being a member of the CCC?

GS: George Steuart and Company being the pioneer member of the CCC, is proud to have been associated with the Chamber from its inception todate. CCC has contributed immensely to the growth and prosperity of its membership by providing valuable services and assistance to the membership through the various trade associations and bilateral business councils of the chambers over the years. George Steuart and Company being associated with the tea industry from its inception has benefited by the services rendered by the chamber specifically from the tea auctions which are conducted under the chamber bye-laws and conditions of sale, commercial dispute resolution services, commercial documents registration and the international trade information services provided by the chamber to name a few.

MW: A lot depends on the ability to meet the needs of individual member organizations. Mackwoods has been diversifying for more than 170 years. Today Mackwoods Group is active in a number of key sectors of the economy. This has called for detailed research and study of the sector potential, acquiring information on regulatory and other sector requirements, expanding our network and business partners both locally and overseas and enhancing the capabilities and knowledge of our employees. Throughout the years we have availed the wide array of services offered by the Ceylon Chamber through divisions such as the economic intelligence unit, trade information division, business councils and product associations which have contributed to informed decision making, building knowledge and assisted our diversification initiatives as well as expanding our global network.

How did membership of the Chamber benefit your organization?

GS: Our association with CCC, being the premier Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka has undoubtedly boosted the image of our Company over the 177 years of our existence. Being a member of CCC has contributed immensely in facilitating international trade transactions with our trading partners.

MW: Mackwoods heritage is closely interwoven with the CCC dating back to 1847 when the firm joined as one of the earliest members. Today Mackwoods also holds patron status of the Chamber which we consider a privilege. We have had the distinction of several of Mackwoods Chairmen having headed the CCC, starting way back in 1888 with F. W. Mackwood, and the last being F. M. Mackwood. Many of the Mackwoods Directors today hold key positions on various Chamber Committees and affiliated Associations and we value this continuing association and presence.

It is of great significance that Mackwoods is one of the oldest members of one of the leading and the oldest trade chambers, which is recognized both locally and globally. Our Group has successfully built an extensive network locally and internationally through joint ventures, strategic alliances and partnerships. In all these activities, particularly our international dealings, we have found that the membership of the CCC has been of great value.

As a member, what are your expectations & what are your views/suggestions for further improvement of the services of the CCC?

GS: The CCC has come a long way from serving the traditional plantation economy of the country and transformed itself to meet the challenges of serving the industrial/ service oriented economy of recent times by associating itself with various trade associations catering to the diverse needs of the membership. It should further expand its association into new and emerging industries which are targeted as thrust industries by the authorities. We feel that the Chamber could play a key role in assisting and formulating National policies in the various trade/industries it represent for the next two decades and beyond for the growth and prosperity of its membership and the Nation.

MW: The Chamber currently supports its membership and the business community at large through its diverse and focused services. Today with the rapidly changing business environment and the local and global challenges which are causing businesses to re-engineer, streamline, diversify and improve productivity, our expectation is that the Chamber services would also correspondingly adapt to, and keep up with these growing and newly emerging needs, whilst extending a strong support to businesses to meet these challenges. Maintaining and continuously improving the level of services offered, as well as greater adaptability and flexibility to meet the varying needs of the members where possible, is needed.

As a leading trade chamber, with a wide ranging membership, a particular area where strong and continuous focus is expected is in the area of advocacy and maintaining a close private public dialogue and constructive engagement in view of the private sector being the engine of growth and driving the growth targets in several key thrust areas of the economy.

This would call for active involvement and playing a strong pro-active role on key issues impacting private sector such as legal, regulatory, macroeconomic, fiscal, environmental, labor and international issues where relevant.

With regard to improvement of the existing services, maintaining and continuously improving efficiency of response time, completeness of information, enhanced information regarding the business environment and sectors, and making information available on a more regular basis to support businesses to optimize their activities. Human capital is one of the most valuable assets of an Organization to optimize delivery. Therefore training, motivating and retaining chamber staff remain a priority area in the future plans of the Ceylon Chamber.

Hemas Pharmaceuticals joined the CCC in 2011. Do you have any specific reason for joining the CCC and what are your expectations?

HP: Hemas Pharmaceuticals is the biggest Pharmaceutical Company in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is important to be a member of the premier chamber in the country.

Our expectations are to contribute to the development of Healthcare Sector by supplying quality healthcare products and services to the country. We joined the CCC to continue their activities for the development of the country. We are extremely happy with our decision to become a member and our Holdings Company has been a member for a long time.

As a new member, are you aware of the workings of the Chamber and the services offered? Can you highlight some of the services which have benefited your organization thus far?

HP: We are aware of the activities of the chamber and are actively involved in some of the committees to contribute for the development of trade. For example, the Import Section of the Chamber conducts various seminars and workshops for the benefit of its members and lobby with the various stakeholders to streamline processes.