October 13, 2023, Colombo: The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the largest and most representative business organisation which is represented in 170 countries with a corporate membership of 45 million companies. ICC has elected Maria Fernanda Garza from Mexico as the ICC Chair, making her the first woman to hold this position. Her predecessor was Ajay Banga, who was appointed as President of the World Bank.
ICC Sri Lanka which is the Sri Lankan branch of the ICC has been a catalyst for business growth and global connectivity in Sri Lanka for over 68 years. ICC Sri Lanka is headed by Chairman Anthony Shanil Fernando, with Hemakumara Gunasekera as the Secretary, Manisha Rajanayake as the Treasure and immediate past chairman Dinesh Weerakody, presently chairman of the Board of Investment Sri Lanka (BOI). The Chairman and board of ICC Sri Lanka congratulate the appointment of Ms Garza and her ICC board.
Maria Fernanda Garza is the CEO of Orestia, a manufacturing home improvement solutions company based in Mexico, with exports to the USMCA region, Latin America, and Asia. She has been a lifelong advocate for small and medium-sized businesses in her home country and around the world, with 19 years of participation in the Mexican Employers’ Association and four years of service as vice president. Ms. Garza’s dedication and passion for the business community have earned her a prominent position in the international business arena.
Maria Fernanda Garza has a history of active involvement within the ICC, previously serving as the ICC Regional Coordinator for the Americas and a member of the governing body of the ICC International Court of Arbitration. In 2020, she became the first woman elected ICC First Vice-Chair. Her dedication to business ethics and corporate governance standards is evident in her previous roles, including Chair of ICC Mexico from 2014 to 2020 and has been in various advisory committee memberships. Ms. Garza has also been appointed to the World Intellectual Property (WIPO) Global Innovation Index (GII) Advisory Board, to support its strategic direction and emphasise the role innovation plays in economic and social development. Also, Member of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Leadership Panel.
Shanil Fernando, Chairman of ICC Sri Lanka, commenting on her appointment said, “We look forward to working with Maria, in advancing ICC’s mission to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere”.
The ICC is present in 170 countries and focuses on the digital economy, sustainability and climate action, global trade and Integrity and good governance. It is the only business organisation to have observer status in the United Nations and celebrated 100 years in 2019. ICC introduced INCOTERMS and Arbitration in the 1900s post-WW1 as a way to facilitate trade investments across countries, this year ICC Court of Arbitration celebrated 100 years. In addition, ICC created Incoterms®, ATA Carnet, Model contracts & clauses, Certificates of Origin, ICC TradeNow, Discover SME360X, ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship, ICC Agri-Food Hubs, ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE), UCP 600 used in Banks and the Vaccine Pass. Learn more about ICC at www.iccwbo.org and ICC Sri Lanka at https://iccsrilanka.com.