Ruwan Edirisinghe, President of Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) said that political stability is needed for any investor to come and invest. "That is one barrier that we are facing now and Sri Lanka is also facing very uncomfortable situation with the rupee depreciation today," he said.
Ruwan Edirisinghe expressed these views speaking at the 43rd Annual General Meeting which was held recently at Hotel Mirage.
“We have special plans for this year and next year and this two years the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry as a focal point of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Chambers of Commerce and Industry, we are going to take the presidency of SAARC. There are eight countries; SAARC is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of nations in South Asia. Its member states include Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan,” he said.
“I will be the President for SAARC Chambers of Commerce and Industry. SAARC Chambers of Commerce and Industry has lot of activities in world-wide and within the region. Because of that the federation activities will boost and there will be so many activities that will bring benefits for Sri Lanka and SAARC countries,” he said.
“Generally SAARC is having four executive committee meetings in different countries every year, at least four to five national level events will take place in SAARC countries and there will be activities which is focusing of South Asian nation in one of the SAARC countries which will be having the leadership of me and it will help to bring many things for Sri Lanka,” he said.
“There is a political instability in some of the SAARC countries. In SAARC countries having about 45 to 48 youth population who are intelligent and they can serve the services industry. In the future the service will be provided by the SAARC countries to the Asian development. We are thinking positively and trying to get the benefit for the SAARC countries within these two years,” he said.
“In general SAARC is having 20 projects, from each country we have selected and identified 20 projects, so we are trying to use those 20 projects of all countries and expose into the world. And we are requesting the investors to come and support us,” he said.
“My main goal for FCCISL is to have its own headquarters and establish a sustainable business model for FCCISL,” he added.
“Using the strengths to uplift FCCISL to the next level is: brand Identity as a very active chamber, country focal point for SAARC CCI, very strong links with Asia pacific foreign missions in Colombo, very strong links with governments in the Asia pacific region, maintain best share of voice among chambers in SL, coherence of BOD and secretariat.”
“The challenges are: Marketing our services to members and non-members, getting the best out of available opportunities, developing staff members to take up future challenges.”
Within next two years FCCISL will increase their stake and presence at international forums (SAARC CCI/ formation of APTA CCI /BIMSTEC /SILK ROAD CHAMBER). They will increase the income through trade facilitation and mega events. Taking part in trade fares in china, India, Korea etc. and organizing mega events such as SAARC trade fare / investment forum.
They will actively look for partnerships with donor agencies (already they have one with skills for inclusive growth funded by SL-Australia foundation) for their chambers benefit. They will help, build and nurture their member chambers every month. They will further strengthen the corporate governance model (they have a advisory board / Finance committee / strategy committee / Risk and sustainability committee and PR committee). They will actively look for sponsorships / strategic partnerships.
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