Sri Lanka’s biggest regional chamber HDCC completes 20 years
View(s):The Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) recently celebrated 20 years of service to the business community and young people of the district this year, Sri Lanka’s oldest and most progressive regional chamber.
Established on August 9, 1993, HDCC is the first district chamber of commerce in Sri Lanka and amongst the few legendary institutions in Sri Lanka to hold such an unbroken record. The primary objective of this pioneering exercise was to promote and develop the
Picture shows then Minister of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (and present President) Mahinda Rajapaksa participating in the “IsuruAsiri 2000” exhibition in 2000.
economic advancement of the district through good business practices and progressive entrepreneurship. Hence, this long felt need, among the business community of the district, was fulfilled by this chamber, HDCC said in a media release tracing the beginnings of the institution.
It said the chamber began as an association in 1990 under a Government initiative that encouraged young new entrepreneurs to collaborate with existing businesses. In 1993, with technical and financial assistance from USAlD, HDCC was formally incorporated, and since then has worked in cooperation with the national level chambers, the Government of Sri Lanka and many INGOs – as well as with multi-lateral and bi-lateral donor agencies and their projects.
Also about this time the Hambantotoa Integrated Rural Development Project (HIRDEP), under the auspices of the then Ministry of Plan Implementation and funded by NORAD set up the Hambantota Entrepreneur Service Centre (HESC) – a one stop shop for the entrepreneurs of the district.
“At the end of the nineties, HIRDEP set up in 1979 with a 20 year life span was nearing the end of its tenure and looking for some institution to takeover HESC. They didn’t have to look too far nor, for too long either. There couldn’t have been a more natural choice than the HDCC to undertake the “adoption” of HESC. The Government of Norway through the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo stepped in via its connection through HESC,” the statement said.
HDCC says it facilitates the business community with information, technology, exposure and lobbying with the banks for access to funds and organizes the workshops and training programmes to improve the capacity of the business people as well as their staff members.
“Recognising that one of the major causes of the violence in the south of Sri Lanka in the late 1980s was youth unemployment, HDCC determined that it must implement programmes designed to address this crucial issue. The Career Service Centre (CSC) commenced delivering careers services as a part of HDCC in 1996 with initial support from the World University Service of Canada (WUSC). The CSC successfully established and provides the secretariat for, a well-regarded and functioning Vocational Training Consortium (VTC) across the district.”
The chamber is also involved in collaborative partnerships with local bodies to facilitate the business community. Playing a catalytic role in the development of the business sector it initiates action to identify future trends, focuses on key issues, and assists in the development of strategic plans to meet new challenges and opportunities. It also maintains close links with the government sector and multilateral aid agencies and provides a platform for the private sector to discuss issues affecting businesses.
“A key strength of HDCC is its ability to form and develop partnerships. None of the work would have been possible without the network of partners with whom HDCC has established relationships during the course of its existence. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, FCCISL, ICC, NCCSL, BPA, Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO), Youth Business international (YBI), Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Manchester Solutions, The Loomba Foundation, International Youth Foundation (IYF), The Asia Foundation, International Alert, The British Council, ILO, UNDP, USAID, GIZ , The World University of Canada (WUSC),the World Bank ,The Royal Norwegian Embassy –NORAD, University of Ruhuna, University of AgderHambantota District Secretariat, Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) and many more have all supported, guided and influenced the work of HDCC,” the statement said.