NCE to conduct top forum for exporters

Sri Lanka as a developing country has long moved away from traditional exports including commodities, in view of the need for the country to diversify the export basket of products and services, to keep abreast of the competition from peer countries in the Asian region. 

In this context, despite value addition to raw materials and intermediate products, innovation and differentiation of products and services to distinguish them from those of competitors, and the development and promotion of Sri Lankan brands of products and services to establish an image and unique identity to ensure customer loyalty, the work carried out and results achieved by Sri Lankan export-oriented enterprises are inadequate for the future sustainability in the export market.

Value addition to raw materials and intermediate products through the use of appropriate technology and processing techniques enables export-oriented enterprises in business development to increase profitability for sustainability. It also enables creation of additional employment opportunities, and also economic benefits to the country through enhanced foreign exchange earnings. 

Innovation and differentiation of products and services through research and development activities, and other creative means enables the exploitation of specific market segments and niche markets.

Branding of Sri Lankan products and services through Sri Lanka registered brands enables establishment of image and unique identity as well as customer loyalty to beat the competition for business development. 

Incentives and assistance offered by relevant Government agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Sri Lanka Institute of Nano Technology (SLINTEC) do not appear to be adequately utilised by Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and exporters. In this regard, the NCE has entered into a collaborative agreement with SLINTEC, with a view to assist member exporters. 

In order to create awareness among member exporters of the Chamber, as well as others, and to guide them in their future activities, the NCE will conduct an important forum on the above vital aspects to develop exports. The forum will be conducted on 7 August at the Marino Beach Hotel in Colpetty, Colombo 3. The forum will be addressed by the following 3 prominent personalities who are professionals in the three subject areas:

• Professor Ajith de Alwis: Professor in Chemical Process Engineering at the University of Moratuwa and Project Director of the Coordinating Secretariat for Science & Technology Innovation (COSTI) will speak on innovation and differentiation.
• Ruchi Gunewardene: Managing Director of Brand Finance Ltd and well-known personality related to brand development and brand valuation will speak on the subject of branding of products and services. 
• Dr. Chandra Embuldeniya: Former Vice Chancellor of the Sabaragamuwa Member of the Board of Directors of SLINTEC, as well as experienced business and Chamber personality will speak on the subject of value addition.

The above addresses will be followed by a panel discussion to enable participants to clarify issues related to the above three vital areas.

The NCE urges exporters of products and services, service providers to exporters, and others, to make use of this opportunity to enhance their knowledge on the benefits that could be accrued by them in the above three vital aspects for business development.