Financial Times

NCE is currently engaged in a one year project with the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva, a UN organisation, to develop the export sector of Sri Lanka, to create awareness and increase training capacity among trade chambers.

Seminars and workshops are being carried out in various parts of the country to achieve these targets.

By Sachini Perera
The introduction of a brand new category for ‘Export of Services’ will be the highlight at this year’s awards ceremony of the National Chamber of Export (NCE).

“The service is invisible because you cannot create samples of your work. You have to engage in it to prove your credibility,” L. S. G. Thilakaratne, Director of Member Service and New Projects for the NCE told The Sunday Times FT.

He added that “Export of Services” was a popular export sector at the moment, one from which developing countries could benefit a lot. It is hoped that these awards would create awareness and help boost Sri Lanka’s image as a provider of such services.

It’s the first time that services in fields such as accountancy, education, medicine, tourism, finance and law have been formally recognised.

He said services such as Ayurvedic medical centres, tourism and education (international schools and institutes for higher studies) will also fall under the category. Even a case where a local artist may exhibit his or her talent abroad and earn foreign exchange is applicable to this category. The ceremony will be held on October 31, for the 14th consecutive year, and will also honour exporters in the following categories, Export of Products (agriculture, garments, gems and jewellery, IT, etc.) and Service Providers to Exporter, such freight forwarding, courier services, telecommunication services, etc.

NCE is currently engaged in a one-year project with the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva, a UN organisation, to develop the export sector of Sri Lanka, to create awareness and increase the training capacity among trade chambers. Seminars and workshops are being carried out in various parts of the country to achieve these targets.