NCE CELEBRATED THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANNUAL EXPORT AWARDS
The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka celebrated the 30th anniversary of its Annual Export Awards at Hotel Shangri-La Colombo, rejoicing the best performance of Sri Lankan Exporters. The ceremony was held on 02nd December 2022, amidst a gathering of eminent personal connected to exports together with award winners.
The Chamber in celebrating the Pearl Anniversary of the Exports Awards this year, has organized under the theme “Recognizing, Inspiring and Strengthening” – a 30 years of unbroken commitment to Sri Lankan Exporters.
Introduced during the 29th Export Awards, the “NCE Challenge Trophy” was a highlight this year too awarded to organizations who perform ethical trading practices under Small, Medium, Large and Extra-Large categories based on their turnovers. It was noted the conferring of Certificates on 25 organizations who conduct business, according to the 8 Principles of Ethical Trading fostered by the Chamber.
President of the NCE, Ravi Jayawardena in his address assured the Government of fullest Cooperation of the Chambers for its export lead economic development plan for Sri Lanka. He noted the importance of resurrecting the Export Development Council of Ministers (EDCM) under President Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe. Although the request has been echoed to Hon. Wickremesinghe many times the EDCM is yet to be resurrected, depriving the exporters of a platform to resolve their issues with the Government.
He further added that the Chamber has requested a seat in the “Trade Development Board” to be set up, amalgamating Board of Investment, Export Development Board and Sri Lanka Export Credit Insurance Corporation to facilitate an export led economy.
The Chambers’ request to government permitting state workers to be employed in the private sector for a period of 05 years similar to overseas leave to lessen the burden on government budget is yet to be formalized, Jayawardena added.
Concluding, he stated that amidst all drawbacks, exporters are being blamed for delay in bringing in foreign remittances.
He suggested a mechanism to be set up for a copy of the Customs Declaration form (CUSDEC) to be received by the Central bank and online platform for exporters to submit details of remittances to avoid such situations.
Jayantha Karunaratne, Chairman – Events Sub Committee and Vice President of NCE, addressing the gathering stated that “the last couple of years had been extremely challenging for all of us. However, our resilient exporters had the audacity to navigate successfully among those turbulences and managed to secure newer markets whilst sustaining their existing markets.
As a result, the Chamber also glad to witness a record number of entries this time and there were marked improvements among all exporters”.
He further stated that we must salute all exporters who have done well despite the challenging times in the recent past and Sri Lanka has earned a recorded income from exports during the last two years.
The judging process adopted by the NCE is of high standard with two layered processes, firstly by a technical committee with experts in respective fields and thereafter the final by the main panel of judges with vast experience in all aspects of trade practices, Karunaratne added.
Marking a number of recorded entrants, there were 155 winners from 34 sectors received awards. The evaluation process of the applications under the awards scheme have been facilitated by a competent panel of judges headed by Dr Jagath Peiris eminent business personality and Technical Committee headed by Mr Samantha Kumarasena, Chief
Executive Officer of National Cleaner Production Centre, Sri Lanka.
The selection of winners under the ‘NCE Challenge Trophy’ which is awarded to the most ethically trading exporter was evaluated by a 03-member panel of judges Headed by Dr Rohantha Athukorala, prominent business and academic personal.
The Global Audit Firm, Ernest & Young played a vital role in the whole process of evaluation of applications by ensuring the full transparency and integrity.
Special Awards
The event conferred special awards as follows,
* Best Value-Added Exporter
The highest Value Addition achieved by an Exporters in respect of Products and Services.
CBL Global Foods Limited – Best Value-Added Exporter – Products Sector
OREL IT (Pvt) Ltd – Best Value-Added Exporter – Services Sector
* Best Sri Lankan Brand Exporter
The Best Sri Lankan Owned Export Brand.
Ceylon Biscuits Limited – Best Sri Lankan Brand Exporter
* Best Performer in Emerging Markets
The Exporters who have achieved excellence in new and emerging markets
Joint Agri Products Ceylon (Pvt)Ltd – Best Performing Exporter in Emerging Markets
* Most Innovative Exporter of a product or service
The Exports which is Innovation and Differentiation of Sri Lankan Products and Services.
Samson International PLC- Most Innovative Exporter
* Best Performer in Research & Development (R&D) Activities
The Exports achievements related to Research and Development yielding in Innovation and Differentiation, as well as the introduction of High-Tech products.
Samson International PLC – Best Performer in Research and Development Activities
* Best Woman Exporter
Awarded female who operates a successful Export Enterprise.
Ms.R.A.V.R.Perera (Brilliant Cuts (Pvt) Ltd) – Best Woman Exporter
* Best Outstanding SME Exporter
Awarded to a Small / Medium Enterprises who excel in their field of exports. The Challenge Trophy awarded under this category is named after the founder of NCE Late Deshabandu Patrick Amarasinghe.
Ceyline Maritime Services (Pvt) Ltd – Most Outstanding SME Exporter
* Best Incorporator of Skills of Differently Abled Persons
The Award to Enterprise facilitates contributions made by ‘Differently abled Persons’ utilization of their Special skills, either by direct employment or utilizing the services of such in society.
dkw-Aqua International (Private) Limited – Recognition of differently abled persons by Export Oriented Enterprises
* Special Awards for Highest net foreign Exchange earners.
These special awards are conferred to the highest net foreign exchange earners in respect of all Products and Services sectors.
Dipped Products PLC – Highest Foreign Exchange Earner
* Most Outstanding Exporter – Overall
This award is conferred to the Best Performing enterprise from extra-large category in exports of products or services sectors excluding service providers to exporters.
LAUGFS Corporation (Rubber) Ltd – Most Outstanding Exporter – Overall- 2022
The Chamber permits the “Award Winners Logo”, to respective winners in all 03 categories (Gold, Silver, Bronze) to incorporate in all their promotional materials for a period of 03 years.
Since 1986 The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) has been the only Trade Chamber in Sri Lanka representing the Exporters.