CCC signs MOU with BPS to strengthen regional chambers

Wednesday, 14 December 2011 01:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Business for Peace Alliance (BPA) and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 11 December, with the aim of strengthening the regional network and sharing its services with membership in the regions.

From left: BPA Vice Chairman Mr. Fathaulla, CCC CEO/Secretary General Harin Malwatte, BPA Chairman K.C Suwarneraj and BPA Vice Chairman Chamly Gunaseela

The signing ceremony took place at the Annual General Meeting of the BPA in Kandy.

The Business for Peace Alliance or BPA as it is popularly known is a network of regional business chambers throughout Sri Lanka.

BPA’s current membership stands at 26 chambers that bring together approximately 15,000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The BPA has been able to come together to play the role of “voice of the regions” and has identified a number of well thought out initiatives to strengthen the regional chambers to play a more effective role supporting their members needs.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is an effective spokesman of the Sri Lankan business sector.

Founded in 1839, the institution has remained as the focal point for business contacts both locally and abroad for more than 172 years.

It has many specialised committees, affiliated associations and 21 bilateral business councils promoting international business.

Its members serve on various institutions and committees set up by the Government and the private sector. Speaking at the occasion, K.C Suwanneraj, President of BPA stated that the strength of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and its wide network will indeed be an asset to their movement.

As a first step in taking forward this MoU, the BPA Secretariat will operate from the CCC Secretariat and the two organisations will work together to offer better coordinated services to Regional Chambers.

Commenting on the MoU, Harin Malwatte, CEO/Secretary General of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce mentioned that CCC is concentrating on strengthening regional businesses by empowering the regional chambers and enabling them to provide a better service to the regional businesses. CCC will assist BPA by taking on the responsibility of coordinating the network.

With a strong regional chamber membership with as many as 20 regional chambers, CCC will definitely add value to this MoU.

The CCC apprised the members of the BPA of the wide range of services that can be accessed through the CCC for business development and invited the BPA members to make full use of the CCC services.