Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Tuesday, 5 February 2019 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
I would like to welcome our Chief Guest and Past President Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and our Guest of Honour Eran Wickremaratne, State Minister of Finance, to our AGM. I warmly welcome all the high commissioners, ambassadors, members of the diplomatic community, Government officials, international agencies, business community, members of NCCSL, media and all distinguished invitees. Welcome to the 60th AGM of the National Chamber of Commerce.
I am honoured to be elected as the 33rd President of this prestigious Chamber. I assure all of you that I will take forward the good work done by my predecessors to take the Chamber to greater heights.
I am taking over the presidency at a critical period for the economy in both the local and international context. As a nation we face many internal and external challenges, similar to many developing countries. We need much stronger measures to resolve the present crisis and pursue policies to stabilise the macroeconomic fundamentals following a consistent and consensual economic policy which is vital to face these difficulties and achieve a steady growth.
Sri Lankan economy and export development
The World Bank expected the Sri Lankan economy to grow at 3.9% in 2018 and 4% in the next two years. Due to weather disruptions in the last couple of years, which negatively affected agriculture, Sri Lanka recorded a growth of 3.3% in 2017, This is one of the slowest growth rates in the recent past. In comparison to this the growth in the South Asian Region is projected to top 6.9% this year and to accelerate to 7.1% by next year.
South Asia is taking up its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing regions despite the reality that most South Asian countries generate low tax revenue and run large budget deficits often made worse by economic shocks and election cycles.
The World Bank warns that a more turbulent external environment, manifested by trade wars and capital outflows from emerging markets and calls for prudent economic policy and more fiscal discipline.
The export sector performance is also very critical for an economy to progress.
Present day critical factors such as local currency fluctuations can be addressed through increased export revenues.
Initial steps have been taken by the authorities to prepare the National Export Strategy (NES) for Sri Lanka as a joint effort of public and private sector consultative process under the patronage of the Prime Minister. The main theme of the NES is ‘Sri Lanka – An Export Hub driven by Innovation and Investment’. The key focus sectors that have been identified are ICT, wellness tourism, spices, boat building, processed food and beverages. It is of utmost importance that it should be revived at regular intervals, enabling to bring in timely changes.
In an environment that we have regained GSP plus and having National Export Strategy implemented, on behalf of the business community we request the authorities, to align local economic development activities towards an export strategy so the entire economy will be benefitted with a positive impact on employment generation and GDP, narrowing the current trade deficit which is a serious burden on the external finances despite an export growth of nearly 10%, which was nullified by an increase in imports, being at a far larger amount.
I believe that there should be a moderation in imports. More stringent measures are needed with regard to unessential imports that are causing this deficit in spite of the growth in exports. Maybe at least till the situation improves.
The economic diplomacy activities carried out by the Sri Lankan missions abroad and the Foreign Ministry at large are commendable, and as chambers, we are ready to support this process
SME development
As in many other economies, in Sri Lanka the main driving force of the economy is considered to be Small and Medium sized Enterprises. Approximately 75% of the enterprises in the country can be classified as SMEs and they provide approximately 40% of the employment in the country in diversified sectors ensuring growth.
It is noted that unfortunately many SMEs do not use latest technology and have limited access to finance due to collateral not being available. Further, SMEs are disconnected from their markets especially in the case of exports. Its noted that now many schemes are being worked out in making available the finances but more publicity should be given on these.
Studies confirm the positive impact of SMEs in enhancing productivity and increasing employment both nationally and globally. Trade and investment liberalisation taking place in the Asian region through preferential trade agreements improve competitiveness and generate more jobs-leading to sustainable development of the region.
The National Chamber is very much involved in SME activities and carries out several programs to assist the small and medium entrepreneurs to develop their business skills and knowledge.
Fragmentation of production
Cross border production based on fragmentation theory is becoming popular in the SME spectrum. Due to technological advances various stages of manufacture could take place in different countries. As a result semi-processed goods may cross national borders many a time for these transactions, it therefore is of utmost importance to have increased efficiency and to reduce cost of cross border services.
Implementing SME enabling policies
In order to ensure SMEs are well connected with global markets, the authorities have to introduce and maintain SME friendly policies. These policies focus on encouraging innovation, increasing competitiveness, providing cheaper access to inputs, lessening red tape and reduction of tariff and nontariff barriers through Preferential Trade Agreements, etc.
Regional and bilateral trade agreements need to pave the way for SMEs to be meaningfully integrated with global value chains. Trade sections operating in our missions should find out information on how to and whom to contact to market our exports
Chambers together, with government development agencies and financial institutions must have a common development strategy for micro, small and medium entrepreneurs.
We should continue to encourage entrepreneurship in this country.
I am proud to note that the National Chamber of Commerce works hand in hand with provincial and district chambers to address this situation. We conducted the Western Province Entrepreneurship Awards in 2016, 2017 and 2018, on an invitation by the National Enterprise Development Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. This has paved the way for MSMEs to come to national level and compete with larger business ventures, through our flagship event of the Chamber – The National Business Excellence Awards scheme.
I think this is where it’s necessary for the larger established companies in this country to give a hand to the SMEs. They should encourage the local SMEs by handing over sub contract work to our local entrepreneurs or by purchasing semi-finished items. These larger companies should not only purchase from SMEs but also provide them the knowhow on how to maintain quality in production methods. I am sure if given this chance our own SMEs can remodel their production methods and quality to international standards.
Shortages of skilled labour and unemployment.
As per our statistics the shortages of skilled labour across all industries continue to be a hindrance in manufacturing and service industries in Sri Lanka. It is vital for Sri Lanka to have policies to increase skilled labour availability directed towards export related industries.
There should be change in the attitude of young people joining industry for the first time to get into semi-skilled or hands on jobs. Social acceptance for these jobs is at a minimum level. The Government, private sector and media at large have a great national responsibility to make this transformation to happen.
I would like to talk a little bit about the portals created to benefit cross border efficieny. Please do bear with me as this information will be useful in our vision.
National Single Window (NSW)
National Single Window or the NSW for Foreign Trade was created using Information Technology and Telecommunication platforms, in order to facilitate import, export and transit bureaucracies. It offers a single point for the submission of standardised information and documents to fulfill official demands and facilitate logistics.
The single window attributes include a single point of payment, improved business process in Government agencies and speedier turn-around for approvals and decisions. It gives an opportunity for traders and their agents to connect up with Ministries of Trade, Agriculture, Health, Food, Security and Finance and so on to electronically lodge license applications and customs declarations.
Trade Information Portal (TIP)
The web-based Trade Information Portal is aimed to help generate trade and investment in the country by making all cross-border trade regulatory information available at a stroke of a button.
The information provided includes prohibitions, laws, restrictions, technical standards, commodity classification and tariffs, procedures for licenses, permit application and clearances, information pertaining to Government ministries, Customs, Port Authority and standard institutions in plain language instructions included in the TIP.
Investment promotion activities
There are four types of investors who would be reacting differently for investment policies and administration aspects of a country. these are natural resource-seeking FDIs; strategic asset-seeking FDIs who would be bringing in technology, brands and a competitive edge; market-seeking FDIs who are interested in local or regional market access; and efficiency-seeking FDIs who are more interested in cost saving, getting connected with International production networks and targeting for export production.
To develop investment, the following conditions should be encouraged:
1.A favourable and steady exchange rate
2. A skilled labour force
3. Physical infrastructure such as availability of electrical power and good logistics
4. Strong macroeconomic conditions
5. Political stability
These are considered some of the key decision-making factors for FDIs.
Political stability is gaged through the following aspects – lack of transparency,the predictability in dealing with public agencies, sudden negative change in the laws and regulations, delays in obtaining necessary Government permits, approvals to start or operate a business, restrictions in the ability to transfer and convert currency and breach of contracts
It is challenging for the Government to be competitive with other nearby countries. Every economy is offering lower tax, tax holidays and other investment incentives for preferred business sectors
Ease of doing business has become a key in decision making criteria.
The role of media in economic development
I believe the media, both print and electronic, can play a tremendous role in the economic development of this country. There are various loan schemes, technical assistance programs and trade development programs in operation, run by the government and various establishments. Given the number of channels and newspapers today in operation, they can be very effective in communicating these programs and letting society know details of these offerings which will open up so many business opportunities.
There are very little business programs such as how to start a small business, how to market a product locally etc. being produced. There are many things a small entrepreneur can learn through the media channels. So I would like to make a humble request to all media personnel to look at this request positively.
Agriculture
Finally I would like to speak a few words on agriculture as it plays a vital part in an agricultural based economy as ours. Food and security in crops is very important to our economy. We need to value add to our agricultural products and find markets for newly-developed products.
For many years weather had failed us. (This type of weather patterns had been experienced during our history. That is why we have an irrigation system in tanks and waterways that no other country in the world has.) This should not be an issue even now if we encourage new methods to agriculture.
Dubai grows its own food crops and even exports them to other gulf countries. These are desert countries. Green houses and tunnel agriculture can be adopted to save water, and control the environment. Special lighting can be adopted even to stimulate the sun movements to help produce seeds.
Unfortunately 50 to 60% of the production is lost due to unavailability of proper storage, cold rooms and proper transport facilities. Even now there will be a bumper rice harvest the next few months. Are we ready with storage facilities.These can help the farmers to sell directly to the trade without going through middlemen.
The National Chamber is considering organising an agricultural exhibition every year to promote agriculture, find domestic and foreign markets, and educate the farmers in modern methods of agriculture.
