“We support business through our advocacy engagement”

Dinesh Weerakkody, Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka, the domestic chapter of ICC Paris, outlines many of the opportunities for the Chamber given its global reach of over six million member companies, chambers of commerce and business associations in over 130 countries. Weerakkody points out that ICC works to further the development of an open world economy with the firm conviction that international commercial exchanges are conducive to both greater global prosperity and peace among nations. Following are excerpts of an interview:

By Nihara Nanayakkara

Q:As the Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka. What are your plans for ICCSL for 2018? 

A: ICCSL has been restructured to deliver and engage membership within a five-committee structure. These committees will drive the two-year plan. Firstly, we have an International Relations Committee. This committee will be responsible for trade delegations overseas in addition, to promoting investor forums to/from other ICC chambers. The Membership Committee will look to improve member engagement and deliver greater value to members, while increasing membership annually. We need to encourage more participation from public quoted companies. The Training and Development Committee is tasked to improve our training and development interventions. 

We also hope to offer programs available with the ICC academy to the local business community. An International Leadership Summit is planned for 2018 together with a reward program for emerging companies. The Public Relations Committee will actively engage to create and implement a plan to tell ICCs story to the business community and promote our activities. The Policy Advocacy Committee will focus on national issues and engage with the government to address some of them collaboratively. We hope to be more vocal on many national issues of interest to the business community. 

Q: What is the ICCSL involvement with the International Chamber of Commerce, headquartered in Paris?

A: ICCSL works closely with our parent body, ICC Paris, and some of our Board members are nominated to represent ICCSL on ICC national working committees. We support ICC’s historic mandate to drive peace and prosperity through global commerce in 2018. We will continue to champion our parent body’s strong stand for open markets and work within the WTO on MSMEs, investment facilitation and e-commerce.

Q: Can you briefly describe ICC membership? What benefits would an individual/company get from obtaining ICC membership?

A: ICCSL membership opens many doors to any organisation or individual. We are the only Sri Lankan chamber with an international parent body. ICC Paris has over six million members in over 100 countries. ICCSL membership is diverse and brings together companies in every facet of business. Some of the important services provided by us include the issuance of ATA Carnets (which is an internationally-accepted customs document which enables duty free and tax free temporary importation of items as commercial samples, exhibits at fairs and professional equipment; issuance of Certificate of Origin – issued online making it hassle free for exporter to obtain this document; information about visits of foreign trade delegations; sale of ICC publications; information on trade inquiries, exhibitions and conventions; advice on resolution of trade disputes; and conducting workshops/seminars on trade finance.

Q: How does ICCSL support the national agenda?

A: The last Budget under the Vision 2025 incentivised the private sector by revamping trade policies to enable an export-driven economy. ICCSL supports the Government’s economic proposals on liberalisation and promoting entrepreneurship as it will boost exports and help SMEs to grow. We are keen to work with some of the government agencies to promote exports and investment given our large global network. In addition, building capacity in the public sector in trade related areas. As a country we need to strengthen the capacity of our SMEs to help them to create new revenue generating opportunities, however all this requires policy consistency and political stability.

Q: What are some of the really important issues right now that are not being talked about as much as they should be?

A: I would say climate change and education. I know there are important conversations happening all the time and more action is taking place across the world to tackle these issues. But there will always be more to do in tackling climate change and making sure everyone has access to education and skills training. Also all businesses need to fully benefit from a flourishing digital market.

Q: What is ICC’s Global Agenda at this moment?

A: The International Chamber of Commerce over the past 12 months has continued to grow the international profile and influence. ICC is increasingly recognised on the global stage as ‘the’ world business organisation to stand up for the importance of open markets. Therefore, essentially to work constructively to advance new work-streams within the WTO on trade matters, investment facilitation and e-commerce. Also the ICC Court has successfully expanded its geographical footprint with a new case management office opened in São Paulo. In early 2018, a new representative office of the Court will officially open in Abu Dhabi, followed by a new case management office in Singapore later in the year. This is a major step forward in cementing ICC’s position as a truly global provider of dispute resolution services – building on its existing presence in Hong Kong, New York and Shanghai.