July 28, Colombo: The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has told President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that it is ready to promote a number of sectors, including exports and tourism, as soon as the country returns to normalcy with the vaccination drive, President’s Media Division said.

The President has implemented the policies presented to the people through the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ policy statement despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chamber has pointed out that it can take advantage of this and contribute to the rapid development of the economy.

The newly-elected office-bearers of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce stated this at a meeting held with the President at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

Founded in 1839, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce currently has 560 member companies. The Group of Regional Chambers of Commerce has expanded to cover all provinces of the country.

The newly elected office bearers commended the President’s efforts to bring the country back to normalcy through the vaccination program.

Infrastructure has been rapidly developed, especially the road network. They pointed out that its benefits would greatly enhance investment opportunities in the near future.

The Chamber officials pointed out the possibility of expanding export opportunities by entering into a free trade agreement with the UK.

The officials said the National Policy Committees of the Chamber of Commerce have taken special note of the Government’s initiatives to promote renewable energy, agriculture and information technology.

The investors are discouraged by some of the laws and regulations that are in effect. The President has said that one of the main objectives of the government is to remove such obstacles and to encourage exports by preventing corruption and malpractices through the introduction of digitalization, the President’s Media Division statement said.

The President had said that the government’s responsibility is to create employment opportunities and pointed out the need to provide opportunities for the new generation to come forward as entrepreneurs and business persons.

Secretary to the President P. B. Jayasundera, Economic Policies & Plan Implementation Ministry Secretary Anusha Palpita and other officials, former Chairman of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Hans Wijesuriya, new Chairman Vish Govindasamy and the new office bearers of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce were present at the event.