NCE gears up for 2020 with key initiatives and programs to support members

The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) is the only private sector chamber which exclusively serves Sri Lankan exporters. The Chamber continuously strives to improve on its range of services by introducing refinements to its current services, as well as introducing new ones to address modern trends in international trade.

The Council of the Chamber has had discussions regarding new Value Added Services that could be of benefit to Sri Lankan exporters. Given below are the salient features of important services provided by the Chamber, including those recently introduced.  

NCE Secretary General/Chief Executive Officer M. Shiham Marikar

Policy advocacy

The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) is cognizant of the vital role it could play in export policy advocacy to further the rapid growth of the economy. For this purpose, the Chamber proposes to strengthen its policy advocacy and capabilities during the year and focus initially on the following: 

Budget implementation process 

Implementation of the National Single Window 

Enhancing research and development in export sectors 

Creating a trade adjustment process 

Addressing the energy issue 

Creating public awareness on Free Trade Agreements 

Empowerment of women 

VAT refund issues 

Inclusion of persons with disabilities into the mainstream economy 

Addressing the shortage of skilled labour 

Foreign direct investment

Conformity to established international standards and proposed new standards   

The underlying theme for all activities of the NCE is the adherence by member exporters of all products and services to established standards in their respective product and service categories. Members are also encouraged to develop and adopt such standards with the assistance of its affiliate INDEXPO Certification Ltd.   

Additionally, the Chamber has developed and implemented a Code of Ethical Business Practices related to Good Governance for Sustainability which involves eight principles to which member enterprises should conform. They are:

1. Trading practices 

2. Payment of statutory wages 

3. Child labour and forced labour 

4. Non-discrimination, gender equity, and freedom of association 

5. Working conditions 

6. Capacity building 

7. Promotion of good values 

8. Environment   

Successful member enterprises are awarded a Certificate of Conformity (COC) which has exclusive recognition among buyers and consumers in modern international trade.   

Assistance by an advisory panel of consultants 

As a new service this year, the NCE has established an advisory panel of local consultants who are specialists in fields related to exports. The services of the panel members registered with the NCE via Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) are made available to member exporters, based on a mutually agreed fee depending on the nature of the service requested, negotiable independent of the Chamber, since it will function only as a facilitator in obtaining the service.   

This will complement the already functional similar service provided through the overseas Trade Representatives of the Chamber (TRS) who are based in selected important markets. Currently there are TRS in Indianapolis in USA, Ufa in Russia, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane in Australia, Chennai in India, Stockholm in Sweden and the United Kingdom.     

The underlying theme for all activities of the NCE is the adherence by member exporters of all products and services to established standards in their respective product and service categories. Members are also encouraged to develop and adopt such standards with the assistance of its affiliate INDEXPO Certification Ltd. Additionally, the Chamber has developed and implemented a Code of Ethical Business Practices related to Good Governance for Sustainability which involves eight principles to which member enterprises should conform. They are: Trading practices, payment of statutory wages, child labour and forced labour, non-discrimination, gender equity, and freedom of association, working conditions, capacity building, promotion of good values, environment

Dearth of skilled labour categories 

The dearth of skilled labour in certain categories of export enterprises is a concern in export development. As such, the NCE has carried out a survey among member companies to identify the specific skills and their numbers that are in short supply. The Chamber will collaborate with the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC), to provide training of the required skills, with the assurance of placements in the existing job opportunities in its member Export Oriented Enterprises.

Digital marketing of exports

Digital marketing of products and services is a modern trend in international trade which is increasingly gathering momentum. In order to facilitate this concept among Export Oriented Enterprises, the NCE has established an e-marketing product catalogue page in its website to enable member exporters to advertise their products and services to prospective buyers and consumers who are enabled to place orders directly by linking the respective company websites with the Chamber’s. 

The Chamber has also established links with foreign trade chambers and other important overseas buying points to support the marketing process.   

Professional training courses of the National Institute of Exports (NIOE)

The professional training affiliate of the NCE viz. the National Institute of Exports (NIOE) has been conducting recognised professional training courses in international trade management at the certificate and diploma levels, with a view to promoting professionalism in the field of exports. It has also added online training courses related to cross-border trading transactions formulated with the assistance of the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva. These online training courses are a boon to those employed in export ventures to advance their career development, as well as to students and school leavers who can follow the courses at leisure within a pre-determined time frame.  

The Chamber’s latest move has been to further expand this service by offering business language courses. While a Chinese business language course has already commenced, the Chamber proposes to extend the service with German and Arabic courses in the future. 

Issue of Certificates of Origin (COs) and related documents  

Over the years, the Chamber has made a name for itself as an efficient and a cost-effective provider of Certificates of Origin (COs) to both member as well as non-member exporters, in its capacity as an authorised chamber of the relevant government authority to issue Certificates of Origin and related documents required by overseas buyers. The Chamber has extended this service by offering digital COs which are especially beneficial to those enterprises which require several COs at a time, since it speeds up the process of delivery in a cost-effective manner.   

However, since some export companies still continue to obtain COs manually, the Chamber would like them to be more progressive by making use of the digital service.   

Trade facilitation through the National Single Window (NSW)

Trade facilitation is an important overall role the Chamber plays in the development of exports and the Trade Facilitation Project of the European Union (EU) supports many of its important components. A major project implemented by the Government with World Bank assistance to establish efficiency in trade facilitation is the setting up of a National Single Window (NSW). This enables entrepreneurs, traders and investors in the field of exports to submit their applications at a single entry point through the NSW, along with the adoption of standard documentation formats, which enables the co-ordination of all relevant service providers in consolidating their services through a single window in the trade facilitation system. In this context, the NCE acts as a lobby to represent the concerns of member exporters and enable them to obtain their service needs without hassle.

Trade promotion

Trade promotion through the conduct of overseas business delegations and trade missions is another important component of the functions of the Chamber. During this year, the Chamber proposes to conduct outward business delegations to the United Kingdom, Japan, Vietnam and Egypt. The activities related to these delegations facilitates two-way trade by promoting exports of Sri Lankan products and services as well as through the sourcing of raw materials, components, packaging material and machinery and equipment required in the export production process. The Chamber co-ordinates these delegations with the Sri Lankan missions in the respective markets as well as their relevant trade chambers in industry and commerce with a view to arranging meetings for delegates in order to facilitate business transactions, as well as visits to factories and other places of business interest.   

In October this year, the Chamber will also participate in the Dubai Expo 2020, a high profile international trade event that attracts the participation of many countries. The event will be conducted over a period of six months and attract millions of visitors as well as international buyers of products and services. The Chamber will organise a mini export exhibition at the event, in collaboration with the Export Development Board, for member exporters of the Chamber to showcase their products and services and boost the image of the country.   

Promotion of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs)

Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) is a vital aspect in the expansion of exports, because FDIs enable capacity building for export production. This not only increases export volumes and values but also ensures the diversification of export products and services, as well as export markets. FDIs are particularly vital in developing hi-tech products through technology transfers, management expertise and skills development. 

The new Government has clearly indicated its positive stance related to this aspect in its policy pronouncements. The Chamber will work closely with the relevant State authorities to identify the sectors in which FDIs would be beneficial and develop relevant policy and incentive packages proposed by the Government as offerings to prospective overseas investors.   

Empowerment of women entrepreneurs 

Women are expected to pioneer the next wave of economic growth in Sri Lanka. The program of the NCE to establish the ‘Women’s Wing 2020’ is designed to encourage more women in business and increase their capacity to become exporters from the level of local entrepreneurs. Simultaneously, they will be given the required skills development through seminars and training programs to approach new markets. An opportunity will also be provided for women entrepreneurs to network with other successful women exporters to benefit from their success stories and expertise. Lack of information and knowledge on how to approach international markets has been a major challenge for women entrepreneurs to become successful exporters. As such, the proposed programs will equip them with the necessary know-how and skills to exploit international markets with their products. Accordingly, the following three programs have been designed for members of the Women’s Wing.

1. Networking sessions for women entrepreneurs with experienced women exporters

2. A training program to share a feedback from an already trained group of women entrepreneurs in Australia on national trade facilitation

3. Seminar to disseminate information on the availability of grants and other means of financial support for members of the Women’s Wing 

Among the assistance proposed is the grooming to acquire knowledge in business English and etiquette, negotiation techniques, and personality development to facilitate exploitation of international markets.   

Conduct of technical seminars and workshops

During the year, the NCE proposes to conduct a series of small-scale technical seminars and workshop for the benefit of entrepreneurs as well as those employed in export oriented ventures, on subjects of current interest and relevance in order to upgrade and update their knowledge with a view to enabling them to conduct their export activities efficiently.   

Development of potential exporters

The Potential Exporters Program of the NCE is designed to assist small-scale entrepreneurs who successfully provide products and services to the local market as well as direct exporters, to develop themselves into direct exporters. For this purpose, a selected group of entrepreneurs with potential to become exporters are provided the services of the Chamber for free to develop themselves during a period of one year. After this period, they are given the option to join the Chamber as full members to continue to avail themselves of the specific services provided to members on concessionary terms among other benefits. Over 100 budding potential exporters will be assisted under this program.    

Representation of member export companies at State forums

The NCE represents member exporters of the Chamber through regular attendance at the ‘Exporters Forum’ among others, conducted periodically by the Export Development Board. This forum is a platform conducted under the leadership of the political authority related to exports, and attended by the representatives of the relevant State agencies that provide services to the export sector. It serves to highlight the various policy and operational issues of exporters, with a view to finding solutions and thereby facilitate exports. Member exporters are expected to bring the various issues they face to the notice of the Chamber in advance, to enable it to prepare for the Forum.   

Among the other committees of State agencies in which the NCE is represented are: 

1. The National Trade Facilitation Committee 

2. The National Single Window Implementation Committee 

3. The Steering Committee of the National Strategy 

4. The Advisory Committee of the Dubai Expo 2020.

Capacity building of NCE staff 

The NCE has implemented a process of capacity building related to its own staff to provide enhanced services to member exporters. Accordingly, additional staff members have been recruited to strengthen the technical services and marketing divisions.

Publication of ‘Sri Lanka Exporter Magazine’ and ‘Coffee Table Book’

The Chamber will continue to publish the quarterly ‘Sri Lanka Exporter Magazine’, which is the only quality magazine available in the field of exports. It carries articles related to exports contributed by professionals and experts in their respective fields. It also carries valuable information on product and market trends in overseas markets, and the potential for Sri Lankan products and services in such markets, including related statistics. The magazine also offers a means for Sri Lankan exporters to advertise their products and services to attract buyers, since it is distributed to all important trade points both locally and internationally.   

The Coffee Table Book is an annual publication whose second edition will be released this year. It is a high quality publication made available by the Chamber in collaboration with Media Services, the publishers of the well-known LMD business magazine. It carries contributions on various export related topics by business leaders in exports, as well as success stories of leading exporters to inspire young entrepreneurs.                 

Conducting the Annual Export Awards

The Annual Export Awards is the flagship event of the Chamber, the conduct of which culminates the other services provided to exporters. It recognises and rewards the achievements of Sri Lankan exporters as well as service providers to exporters in the international marketplace. Winners are conferred trophies and certificates, as well as an award-winning logo. The event is of national significance, and is the most looked-forward-to event in Sri Lanka’s business calendar, attended by the cream of exporters, business leaders and special invitees, and conducted amidst much glitter and glamour.   

Further, since it receives wide publicity through both print and electronic media, successful exporters can showcase their achievements through the event to attract prospective buyers in the international marketplace. Award-winners can also project their achievements by incorporating the award-winning logo in their promotional marketing material for a period of two years from the date of award. Further, they can also advertise their products and services, as well as their success stories, through the ‘Sri Lanka Exporter’ magazine of the Chamber, which is published quarterly and distributed to all important trade points, both local and international.