The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) rang the market opening bell on 19th October at the CSE Trading Floor to felicitate the visit of Ms. Maria Fernanda Garza, the Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, on the request of International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL).
The ceremony was attended by Ms. Maria Fernanda Garza – Chairperson ICC, H.E. Badli Hisham bin Adam, High Commissioner of the High Commission of Malaysia to Sri Lanka, Mr. Shanil Fernando, Chairman ICC Sri Lanka, Mr. J A Fernando and Captain Nalin Peiris Vice Chairmen ICCSL, Mr. Hemakumara Gunasekara Secretary and Ms. Manisha Rajanayake Treasurer.
Representatives from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), Chairman Mr. Faizal Salieh, Director General Mr. Chinthaka Mendis, Deputy Director General Mr. Tushara Jayaratne and the CSE Chairman Mr. Dilshan Wirasekara, Chief Executive Officer Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike, the senior management and the staff attended the event.
The governing bodies and the senior management of several companies also graced the occasion.
This could be considered as a valuable opportunity for the SEC and CSE to strengthen ties with the ICC.
Welcoming the invitees to the ceremony, CSE Chairman, Mr. Dilshan Wirasekara stated, “It is important that we foster this partnership because of the situation that Sri Lanka is in today. I think in terms of the current reforms in Sri Lanka, the ICC has a great part to play in fostering international cooperation.”
“Further one of the key factors of ICC Sri Lanka is dispute resolution mechanism and this would probably help Sri Lanka in terms of growing businesses with our trade partners,” Mr. Wirasekara added.
SEC’s Chairman Mr. Faizal Salieh, appreciating the services of the ICC, said “ICC is the largest and the most representative business organization in the world today and the only representative Chamber that speaks with authority on behalf of enterprises from all sectors in the world on matters of international trade, investments and the global market economy.”
He added that “ICC has demonstrated unmatched levels of excellence and has facilitated the prevention and resolution of conflicts and disputes for companies, states and individuals making business work for everyone, every day, everywhere.”
The domestic chapter of ICC, ICCSL, was formed over 70 years ago to promote free trade among countries and it acts as the spokesman for international business both in Sri Lanka and in international forums. ICC, Sri Lanka has also been appointed to the UNICEF Sri Lanka Business Council recently.
Addressing the gathering ICC Sri Lanka Chairman Mr. Shanil Fernando stated, “ICC global chairperson’s visit will have a positive perception for future investment into Sri Lanka, as her visit will broadcast in many countries and will give the correct picture that Sri Lanka is ready for investment.”
ICC is represented in 170 countries with a corporate membership of over 45 million and operates to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere by promoting open international trade and investment systems that foster peace, prosperity and opportunity for all. In 2019, ICC was accorded a permanent seat as an observer of the UN, the first time a private -sector organization received such an honour.
Delivering the keynote address, ICC Chair Ms. Maria Fernanda Garza said “At ICC I am proud to say that over the past three years we have consistently advocated to the G20 for a stronger and coordinated measures to support the countries in debt and distress. Despite many delays I’ am assured to hear that the Sri Lankan Government has made an important progress in recent days in agreeing to the terms of debt restructures and bi lateral creditors.”
“And looking into the future, I hope that there is an opportunity to chart a programme of basic reforms capable of building stronger, more resilient and more inclusive economy,” Mr. Garza.