Sri Lanka’s business chambers express confidence in country’s new President’s economic policies
Business chambers in Sri Lanka have reportedly congratulated the new President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and have expressed confidence that he would work towards the prosperity of the nation.
In his address to the nation after being sworn in as the seventh Executive President of Sri Lanka, Rajapaksa said he would provide state sponsorship to safeguard the traditional heritage of the nation and will take measures to protect the rights of the civilians to live in peace and reconciliation.
“Time has come to work as one force to build the nation and a people-centric government is a prerequisite to achieve this objective. We will have our fullest commitment to achieve the sustainable development goals of the UN,” he said.
“Professionalism and efficiency should be the cornerstone of government of administrations. Meritocracy and technocracy should be promoted all times; corruption will be never tolerated under my administration.”
President of the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCISL), Ruwan Edirisinghe has told the local media that the urgent steps should be taken to revive the ailing economy and also the construction sector.
He has said that not only the SME sector even the corporate sector is facing huge issues which has resulted in huge NPL’s to the banks and has suggested a grace period be given to pay back loans and the interest components due to the banks too should be reviewed.
He has also said a simplified tax system should be introduced and the smaller man should pay less. “Luxury vehicles must be taxed more. The construction industry is facing huge issues due to delay of payments by the government to contractors. This has a cascading effect to the whole country.”
Meanwhile, the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka on behalf of the membership and business community while congratulating the newly elected President Rajapaksa has stated that the Chamber believes the new President’s plans will take the country to the greater heights of the trade and business development.
President, Sri Lanka Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, Sanath Ukwatte while welcoming the new President, has told the state owned Daily News that peace and security is paramount for the promotion of tourism. “We expect the new President to ensure the nation’s security be maintained at all times. This would certainly help increase the number of arrivals.”
Then, the Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) has noted the importance placed on the ICT industry in the new President’s policy statement.
The CSSL has been playing a pioneering role in promoting ICT and fostering professionalism among ICT professionals in the country for the past 43 years. “CSSL eagerly anticipates to actively engage with Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government in order to realize the digital vision articulated in his policy statement,” Prabhath Wickramaratne, President, Computer Society of Sri Lanka has been quoted as saying in the Daily News.
“We wish to draw his attention to the fact that ICT professionals in this vital industry needs the due professional recognition. CSSL has been advocating for the same for many years. We look forward for our new executive president to use his office to bestow the due recognition for computer professionals similar to doctors , engineers or accountants in the country by enacting necessary acts to realise the intended economic and social objectives through this vital industry of the future.”
OSL take:
The assumption of office by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the stability brought about the appointment has given a boost to the country’s business sector. Following Rajapaksa’s swearing in to office, the country’s stock market recorded an increase. All this along with the confidence expressed by the country’s business chambers indicate the growth potential for Sri Lanka’s business sector. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore confidently explore business opportunities in Sri Lanka.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20191122/Z_2 |