NCE to conduct awareness seminar on NE agricultural produce

Thursday, 10 March 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The objective of the Local Empowerment through Economic Development (LEED) project is to promote inclusive economic development of the people in the North and East, creating decent employment, and long-term sustainable livelihoods. It recognises the important role of the private sector, and especially the export sector to achieve these objectives.

The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) which is the only private sector Chamber exclusively serving exporters, has collaborated with the LEED project, with a view to establish business linkages between exporters and producers in the Northern and Eastern Provinces for mutual benefit.

As a result of the initiative of the NCE, a few of its members have already established business linkages with producers in the Northern Province. Delegations of member exporters have been already led by the NCE to the North and East. The visits were facilitated by the offices of the LEED project in Kilinochchi and Batticaloa. Members of the delegation have held discussions with the relevant state officials, and have also visited producers and manufacturing groups. Although these initial visits were intended to be only of an exploratory nature, the outcomes have exceeded expectations resulting in the successful establishment of firm business linkages.

Four member companies of the NCE are already engaged in business activities with producers and manufacturers in the North and East in the Agriculture sector (in the fruits, vegetables and fibre sub sectors) and in boat building related to the fisheries sector. Two more companies are in the process of finalising contracts with producer groups.

Business linkages already established are as follows:

CR Exports , sources papaya, cassava and snake gourd from Kilinochchi

HJS Condiments , sources papaya from Kilinochchi

Rabeena Foods, sourcing palmyrah jaggery and processed food from Kilinochchi

Greenfield Bio Plantations Ltd which established a dehydration plant

With a view to building on the successes achieved so far the ILO office in Sri Lanka and the NCE, entered into a formal agreement to facilitate business development activities in the year 2013.

The NCE jointly with the ILO is conducting a follow up awareness seminar for exporters to disseminate information on the produces and products available from the North.

Resource speakers from NCE and ILO will present their views related to the subject. Exporters who have established successful business linkages will speak about their experiences and thereafter participate in a panel discussion to clarify any issues. Around 50 established exporters are expected to attend this event.

The event will take place at the Hotel Sapphire on 16 March commencing 3.00 p.m.

The NCE welcomes exporters and producers to join this program where exporters could benefit through a steady supply to meet export demands and producers by improving their incomes, and living standards.

Most importantly the project conveys the message of peace and trust between the people of the North and South and facilitates the reconciliation process through meaningful action.