CCC and Foreign Affairs Ministry sign MOU for the certification of export related documents through the electronic Document Attestation System
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) last week, for the certification of export related documents through the electronic Document Attestation System (e-DAS) of the Ministry, the local media has reported.
The MOU was signed by Mr. Ravinath Ariyasinghe, Secretary, MoFA, and Mrs. Dhara Wijayatilake, Secretary General/CEO, of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, on December 12, at the Ministry.
The MOU provides for the CCC to use the e-DAS system of the MoFA to upload and submit export documents for certification by the Consular Affairs division of the MoFA and to receive the certified documents electronically for issuance to applicants.
According to reports, the use of the electronic system to for a process which was previously handled manually will be a boost to businesses.
The Chamber has reportedly guaranteed the issuance of commercial documents duly certified by both Organisations, speedily and will obviate the need for exporters to physically visit both Institutions.
The Ceylon Chamber established its Commercial Documents Registration Division in 1925 when the Chamber was granted authority to issue Country of Origin Certificates. Today, this Division offers a wide range of services, and issues a variety of certificates and commercial documents required by Sri Lankan exporters. It is a vital service offered to businesses that are engaged in trading activities.
The use of the e-DAS system marks the introduction of yet another valuable feature to the value-added services offered by the Chamber to the Sri Lankan business community. It will facilitate the convenience with which business will be transacted by expediting the document registration processes and contributing thereby to increased efficiency, the media report added.
OSL take:
The signing of the MOU between the Ceylon Chamber and the Foreign Affairs Ministry will have a definite boost in businesses and would improve the easy of doing business environment in Sri Lanka. This would be an added incentive for foreign businesses/investors currently exploring business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. The government of Sri Lanka has been introducing many steps to improve the ease of doing business environment in the country. Therefore, Sri Lanka is fast becoming a country that is very conducive for businesses.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20181227/Z_3 |