FCCISL congratulates Rajapaksa; expects productivity-led economic growth

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) in a statement yesterday congratulated newly elected Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa over his resounding victory at the recently concluded General Election.

“We note that election victory is a further endorsement of the manifesto of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the eighth Executive President of Sri Lanka,” it added.

Being the apex body of the chamber movement consisting 63 chambers and business associations including MSME’s which contribute around 60% to GDP, FCCISL said it expects the new Government to take rational and speedy decisions to achieve a productivity led growth in terms of both exports and investments in the future, true national reconciliation by distributing national income among all Sri Lankans, implementation of environment friendly development projects and preferential treatment for Sri Lankan business community over foreign companies.

FCCISL also expects the introduction of disciplined and effective work practices at all Government institutions, greater participation of women sector with a view to increase its current negligible contribution to GDP to a commendable position, national drive for business startups, R&D, innovation, and new product management and progressive national policies for Sri Lanka’s major sectors such as Agriculture, Trade, Manufacturing and Services.

Commenting on the two-third people’s mandate given to the Government, FCCISL President Shirley Jayawardena said: “The Government has received a strong mandate to executive its economic vision, However FCCISL is well aware of the global recession and national challenges posed by COVID-19 and therefore we do not expect miracles.”

“We are confident that under the newly elected political leadership Sri Lanka will achieve a gradual and systematic progress and economic development within the next few years,” Jayawardena added.