NCE holds 26th AGM

Members of the Management Committee elected for the year 2021

Newly-elected President Ravi Jayawardena addressing the gathering

Chief Guest Suresh De Mel addressing the gathering

National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) held its 26th Annual General Meeting on 21 January 2021 at Hotel Galadari to elect the Council Members and Office Bearers for year 2021 and to conform to other statutory requirements. The AGM was followed by a Post Business Forum and Export Development Board Chairman Suresh de Mel graced the event as the Chief Guest. 

Ravi Jayawardane was elected as the new President and Jayantha Karunaratne and Kaushal Rajapakse were elected as the Vice Presidents of NCE respectively during the AGM. Ravi Jayawardena is the Chairman of Golden Palm Craft Ltd., established in 1986. He has been actively associated with several national and international trade associations in the past and is the only Sri Lankan to be elected as the President, World Fair Trade Organisation – Asia. Jayawardena has been with NCE for over 15 years as a Council Member and also has held the office of Assistant Secretary and the last four years as the Vice President of the Chamber.

Addressing the participants, Suresh de Mel expressed his passion working with SME exporters from regions and also highlighted his longstanding affiliations with regional chambers where he contributed immensely towards the development of SMEs’ capacity building and skill development. In his address, de Mel further emphasised the importance of adding value to exports and reaching niche markets for Sri Lankan products and services. Under his leadership, EDB is planning to spearhead programs to develop the SME sector of the country and will be committed to support SME exporters of all regions. He invited NCE to work in close collaboration with EDB to develop and sustain the export sector of the country.

Ravi Jayawardane, mentioned that year 2020 as the ‘Year of Challenges’ to everyone due to the outbreak of the virus, during his speech and praised the Government of Gotabaya Rajapaksa for reviving the Exports Development Council (EDC) after a prolonged gap of years. He further stated that it is encouraging to note that the EDC is chaired by the President himself, giving a clear indication of the Government’s commitment to support the export industry in three key areas namely, new markets for exporters, international trade agreements and the national trade policy.

Jayawardane stated that the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka is the only trade chamber in the country serving the export sector, deserves participation in the Export Development Council to facilitate activities in developing the export industry. He made a special request to President Rajapaksa to consider extending NCE a permanent representation at EDC which will result in reiterating the Government’s commitment to facilitate exports and public-private partnership in developing the country. 

Unveiling the objectives of the Chamber for year 2021, Jayawardane stated, “NCE is geared up to support the member exporters in their export development initiatives and a new business plan will be implemented under the title ‘Grow Beyond’, orchestrating programs to support product innovation and market diversification in sustaining exports.” 

NCE also presented its newly-revamped website to its members and launched the third edition of the Coffee Table Book titled ‘Exporters Showcase’ which is published by Media Services Ltd. In association with the Chamber, during the forum. 

NCE and LMD official at the launch of the 3rd edition of the Coffee Table Book

Awarding certificate of appreciation to Janith Serasinghe for re-developing the NCE website