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From left: NCE Treasurer Zulficar Ghouse, NCE VP Ramal Jasinghe, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka Executive Director Dr. Saman Kelegama, Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives of Norway Grete Løchen, NCE President Sarada Desilva, Deputy Minister of Policy Planning and Economic Affairs Dr. Harsha de Silva, NCE Founder President and President Emeritus Patrick Amarasinghe, NCE Past President Rohan Fernando, NCE Council Member Kulatunga Rajapakse and NCE Secretary General/CEO M. Shiham Marikar
The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) is the only private sector Chamber which exclusively serves Sri Lankan exporters. At present the Chamber has around 500 member companies of which 90% are exporters across all products and services sectors. The balance comprises service providers to exporters. The main aim of the chamber is to provide support services required by Sri Lankan exporters to enhance exports. Recognition of the Chamber among the exporter community has grown over the years due to its achievements. Today its membership includes some of the leading Export Houses in Sri Lanka. The Chamber is the ‘Voice of the Exporter’.
20th Annual General Meeting of NCE
The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) conducted its 22nd Annual General Meeting on Thursday 29 January at the Grand Ballroom of Galadari Hotel.
The Chief Guest at the event was Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives of Norway Grete Løchen. Deputy Minister of Policy Planning and Economic Affairs Dr. Harsha de Silva was the special Guest of Honour. The event also featured a keynote address by Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka Executive Director Dr. Saman Kelegama, who was the guest of honour at the event. 
Grete Løchen in her address commended the commitment of Sri Lanka to the democratic process at the recent presidential election, and stated that this provides a firm foundation for further political and economic development of the country. She added that it will also open a new and positive chapter in the relations between Norway and Sri Lanka based on shared values, and a spirit of mutual concern. She further stated that today Sri Lanka has the potential to succeed both in attracting more FDIs, and increasing export revenues.
Citing the trade statistics between the two countries she said that bilateral trade of Sri Lanka with Norway has increased by 26% to approximately $ 32 million since 2008. The balance of trade is in Sri Lanka’s favour. Apparel is the No. 1 export item followed by different rubber products. There is definite potential for expansion and diversification of products.
Dr. Harsha De Silva in his address outlined to the members the vision of the Government related to economic development, specially focusing on the importance of exports and the role exporters could play to accelerate economic growth. He stated that the Government believes Sri Lanka can only develop and be where it should actually be, by incentivising the export industry. In this context he emphasised, “Our focus is on exports, exports and exports.”
He further stated that as the Deputy Minister of Policy Planning and Economic Development, it is his responsibility to see that exporters consulted through the Chambers are part of the planning process, in order to prepare a well laid out policy for Sri Lanka. He assured that his Ministry plans to actually sit down and discuss with the Chambers on a one on one basis, as it is the exporters who know what has to happen, while the Government must respond to the needs of the people.
Dr. Saman Kelegama in his presentation on the subject ‘Towards the 2020 Vision of $ 20 billion Exports and Beyond’, detailed the pressing concerns, and emerging opportunities for the Sri Lankan exporter community. Dr. Kelegama outlined the current export performance in the context of Sri Lanka’s competitors, the prevailing policy framework, where changes are necessary, the challenge of value addition to exports, and the way forward.
Sarada de Silva appointed as President of NCE
Sarada De Silva, former Chairman of the Spice Council, was elected President of the Chamber totake office from January 2015. He was Director of the Intercom Group of Companies. He has extensive experience in the cinnamon industry, covering the areas of cultivation, plantation management, production, value addit
ion and international marketing.
De Silva in his address outlined the structure of the Chamber with the appointment of the new Secretary General to meet future challenges. He added that an organisational chart has been prepared with a clear indication of the specific functions of the Secretariat staff, along with carrier paths for advancement.
He added, “The already announced policy objectives of good governance, establishment of the rule of low, social equity, and a level playing field to encourage local enterprises and entrepreneurship, is bound to provide increasing business opportunities. Where exports are concerned, it will be necessary to widen the product range and diversify markets, and also increase production capacity.”
He further stated that the Chamber seeks an assurance from the Government for a strong and consistent National Policy for Exports enabling entrepreneurs and export businesses to confidently invest in capacity building through new ventures on a predictable basis, and a consultative process with the export sector stakeholders when policy initiatives are developed.
The Council of the Chamber has been expanded to 49 members with sectoral heads assigned to cover all products and services sectors. They are expected to play a very active role to effectively address sectoral issues. The Secretariat staff will also effectively engage with members.
The Council of the NCE appoints Shiham Marikar – Secretary General/CEO of the Chamber
Shiham Marikar was appointed Secretary General/CEO of the Chamber with effect from 1 January. He is an accomplished, self-motivated professional with over 20 years’ experience in sales, marketing, business development and trade promotion, within a diversified group of companies. He is a product of Wesley College Colombo, and is also an MBA graduate of the Cardiff Metropolitan University. Shiham joined the NCE in July 2011, as a Senior Manager and was later promoted as Director – Trade Promotion. During his tenure with the Chamber he has worked with past Presidents Sarath De Silva (Chairman International Group of Companies), Dr. Jagath Perris (former MD of Royal Fernwood Porcelain Ltd) and Mangala Yapa (former CEO of Colombo Dockyard PLC).
Shiham has successfully led Chamber delegations overseas to participate in trade shows and meetings with prospective buyers, in the Maldives, China, the UAE, Myanmar, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Seychelles. During the last three years his work related to trade promotion required him to undertake research and analysis of new and emerging markets, carry out market studies for different product sectors, and communicate with Sri Lankan Missions and Chambers overseas, to successfully conduct overseas trade promotion activities.
