NCE export awards aimed also at stimulating medical services as forex earners
View(s):The annual export awards presented by the National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) is not only to encourage direct exports but also other ways of earning foreign exchange like healthcare by medical specialists, etc. These facts were revealed at the media briefing held last week in Colombo to launch the NCE Export Awards 2015 which will be held in September this year.
On the sidelines of the event, Sarada De Silva, NCE President told the Business Times that export earnings to the country are now stagnant as the traditional exports such as cash crops and garment exports, etc have reached a saturation point and therefore the country should look for new innovative export avenues that could compete in the global market.
He said that they have urged the government on the need of a new approach and diversification and in fact the NCE suggestions for the 2016 Budget were accepted. Ramal Jayasinghe, Chairman, Awards Committee, NCE said that winning awards bring in direct benefits in such avenues like IT, BPOs and products and services using science and technology extensively and that the awards are also aimed at achieving such goals.
He said that winning awards are a boost to increase exports as the winners are publicly announced and the overall quality of the business and products are made public. Importers from other countries would take cognizance of the export products and services that won awards, he added.
Applications will be invited under three areas of exporters of business and professional services and service providers to exporters such as freight forwarders, couriers, bankers, etc. The chamber will also confer special project related awards to recognise suppliers of export products from the Northern and Eastern Provinces and exporters who support such suppliers through business linkages.