FCCISL and ITC take initiative to improve capacity of regional chambers

Standing from left: Central Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry Deputy Secretary S. Jayasinghe, Central Province Chamber of Commerce Export Director Manjula Weerarathna, Kegalle District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Coordinator Sajith Bandara, Chamber of Provincial Entrepreneurs Director Kelum Jayasena, Kandy Tamil Traders Association Members Uma Maheshwaren and R. Bawaneethan, Kegalle District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture CEO Karunanidi, Central Province Women’s Chamber of Small Industries and Commerce Vice President Kumudini Weerasekera, Kandy Sinhala Welada Peramuna Director Lalitha Rathnayaka, Uva Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice Chairman Jagath Mullewithana, Director N. Wijethunga, Director-Secretary Douglas Kumarawansa and Central Province Export Chamber of Commerce Director Gemunu Jayasundera , Seated from left: Sabaragamuwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Resource Person/CEO Ajith Ranasinghe, EU-Sri Lanka Trade Related Assistance National Project Assistance Devika Mendis, Galle Chamber of Commerce and Industry Resource Person/CEO Chanaka Kariyawasam, Central Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry Treasure N.U. Liyanage, Uva Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Nimal Dabere, EU-Sri Lanka Trade Related Assistance National Coordinator Dr. Dayarathna Silva, Kegalle District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Vice President R.A. Chandrasena, Sinhala Welada Peramuna President Mahinda Basnayaka, Central Province Women’s Chamber of Small Industries and Commerce President Kanthi Medagammana, FCCISL Resource Person and Secretary General/CEO Ajith D. Perera and Matale District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture President K.N. Mahendran 

FCCISL in collaboration with ITC/EU-trade related assistance conducted a one-day residential workshop in Badulla to train the key personnel and leaders of regional chambers drawn from Central and Uva Provinces on chamber governance model which includes sustainable business planning as well. 

Uva Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Nimal Dabere, speaking at the event said it’s important to introduce a proper management structure to regional chambers and enlighten the Board of Directors and the Secretariat about their roles and responsibilities. He further said: “In today›s volatile business environment it’s important to strengthen regional chambers where large number of SME›s have obtained the membership. 

“The business chambers do need to be the voice of business community irrespective of political affiliations. Our chamber is located in a province where a lot of fruits and vegetables are grown but still we do not play a role in the global value chain.” 

He emphasised that we need to get connected to global value chain and our exports from Uva region need to reach global markets. In this process only a stronger and sustainable chamber can provide proper guidance and assistance to its members specially our SMEs. 

He finally thanked ITC/EU-trade related assistance for understanding this need and deciding Badulla as a location for organising a chamber capacity development program for Central and Uva Provinces. During the session, EU-Sri Lanka Trade Related Assistance National Coordinator Dr. Dayarathna Silva did a special presentation on relevance of trade policy and its usefulness to the country. 

The notable feature of this workshop was the entire training was done by three local resource personnel drawn FCCISL and its affiliated chambers (Galle and Ratnapura) who were initially trained by an expert from ITC/EU-trade related assistance in Geneva.