Business
NCC focusing on SDGs, inclusivity and equality
(Continued from Saturday)
Collaborations with Professional Institutes
With the view of developing business opportunities for both MSMEs sector and the Corporate Sector the Chamber singed MoUs with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA Society) Sri Lanka.
National Business Excellence Awards 2021
The most awaited business benchmark program, the National Business Excellence Awards 2021 (NBEA), was launched on the 16th of November 2021. Chamber initiated a fresh approach to structure the content of the NBEA Application to capture current trends shaping the industries and businesses across world with further emphasize on securing long-term sustainability through Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives required to create long-term value for all, not just for selected few.
The final event is scheduled in February/March 2022 – to be conducted with compliance to all health regulations. It is very encouraging to receive over 100 applications for the competition.
Sustainable Development Goals
As the country’s foremost Chamber in business development, NCCSL’s focus on business sustainability has grown gradually over the years. Its services to members and businesses, especially in the micro, small and medium sectors have an unmistakable undertone of sustainable development, with a strong focus on inclusivity, diversity and equality. Intrinsically, the National Chamber of Commerce is responsible for developing businesses to reach their potentials, while embedding a consciousness for social development and environmental sustainability into organizational actions, values and objectives.
We have embarked on a journey giving the emphasize on Sustainable Development Goals, inter alia, Quality Education – Ensuring inclusive and quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, Gender Equality – Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, Reduce Inequality – Reducing inequality within and among Sri Lanka, and Partnership for Goals – Strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development.
Wayforward
The all of our activities during the last year and moving forward this year also will be based on our Vision to be the leading source of services and assistance to businesses countrywide for promotion of domestic and foreign trade with special emphasis on the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. We will endeavor to make sure our strategies and activities moving forward also to be align with Sustainable Development Goals and upholding diversity, inclusivity and equality in creating long-term value for all in the society enhancing the power through unity.
In order to enlighten the stakeholders I would like to briefly elaborate on our expected activities in the near future.
NCCSL is planning to join with an international Webinar on “Connecting South Asia with Global Markets through Hong Kong” jointly organized by Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) and Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FNCCI) on 10th February 2022.
We will be working with St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) organized by The Roscongress Foundation in Russia during June 2022 which is one of the largest events of this nature in the world.
NCCSL is planning to revive the Meet the Ambassador initiative physically which we could not continue due to Pandemic, however, it is expected to recommence the event moving forward in order to facilitate trade, exports and investments.
Further, we are expecting trade and investment delegations from Sultanate of Oman and Bangladesh in the near future with a view to facilitate trade, export and investment opportunities among our nations.
Further, NCCSL is expecting to launch entrepreneurship development program in both Sinhala and Tamil language throughout the island in order to uplift required skills of doing business, business planning, finding markets and finance, improve taxation knowledge and financial literacy of our SMEs.
I take the opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all the office bearers, council members and the NCCSL team led by CEO/Secretary General Bandula Dissanayake; without your immense support NCCSL wouldn’t have achieved the success in every activity we engaged in.
Thank you.
(Concluded)
In a world where every strong cuppa tells a unique story, Sri Lanka’s famed Ceylon Tea continues to carve its legacy – one cup at a time. The latest tea export figures for March 2025 reveal a tale of resilience, with total shipments rising to 23.43 million kilograms, up from 21.25 million kgs the previous year.
But the real headline is; Libya’s staggering 416% surge in Ceylon Tea imports – marking a bold new chapter in Sri Lanka’s tea trade. While traditional markets like Iraq and Russia held steady, Libya emerged as the ‘breakout star’, importing 5.31 million kgs in the first quarter of 2025 – a jaw-dropping leap from just 1.03 million kgs in 2024.
This explosive growth signals a burgeoning demand for Sri Lanka’s premium leaves in North Africa, where the rich, aromatic flavors of Ceylon Tea are winning hearts and palates.
Quadrupling Libya’s appetite for Ceylon Tea even in challenging global markets, is reflecting the fact that Sri Lanka’s tea can find loyal fans in evolving markets.
However, while the export values shine in USD terms, the rupee value of tea exports dipped slightly – a stark reminder of currency fluctuations impacting export earnings. Yet, the broader trend remains positive for Ceylon Tea, with cumulative exports for Q1 2025 reaching 63.21 million kgs, up from 62.33 million kgs last year.
Key markets like Iraq (+7%) and Chile (+41%) showed strong growth, while Russia and the UAE saw mild declines. Meanwhile, Tea Bags and Instant Tea have posted gains even in rupee terms – marking a bright spot in an otherwise mixed landscape, where Tea in Bulk and Green Tea segments have witnessed a decline against the same period of the previous year.
On the production front, tea production for the month of March 2025 totalled 24.43 M/Kgs, showing an increase of 4.86 M/Kgs vis-à-vis 19.57 M/Kgs of March 2024. All elevations showed an increase in comparison with the corresponding month of 2024.
“As Sri Lanka’s tea industry navigates global headwinds, the increase in production and Libya’s soaring demand could offer a breather,” analysts said.
(Source: Forbes & Walker Pvt Ltd, Sri Lanka Customs, Central Bank of Sri Lanka)
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Photo Credit: Sri Lanka Executive Aviation Services
In a groundbreaking collaboration set to transform Sri Lanka’s premium coffee landscape, Fits Retail has partnered with retail giant Abans PLC to showcase the iconic DeLonghi coffee machines at two of Colombo’s most prestigious locations: Abans Elite Colombo 3 and Abans Havelock City Mall showrooms.
This exclusive partnership presents a rare opportunity for coffee aficionados to experience firsthand why DeLonghi has become synonymous with coffee perfection worldwide.
With a heritage spanning over 100 years, DeLonghi proudly holds the title as the number one coffee machine brand in more than 46 countries, celebrated globally for its exceptional quality, innovation, and unrivaled Italian craftsmanship. Fits Retail’s collaboration with Abans PLC brings these legendary machines directly to Sri Lankan coffee enthusiasts, creating immersive experience zones designed to elevate everyday coffee moments into extraordinary rituals.
At these dedicated demonstration zones, visitors can discover the unparalleled precision engineering and user-friendly technology that have made DeLonghi machines the preferred choice for discerning coffee lovers in more than 46 countries worldwide.
Business
Ceyline Group and Lion Brewery Forge a Sustainable Future with Eco-Friendly Warehousing and Distribution.
Ceyline Total Solutions, the end-to-end logistic solutions provider of Sri Lanka’s leading maritime and logistics group Ceyline, has built Lion Brewery’s first sustainability-focused warehousing and distribution center in just 100 days.
Located in Tangalle, the facility reflects a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. Half of the structure is made from repurposed shipping containers, reducing both waste and carbon emissions. The project, executed by Ceyline’s brand for sustainable living spaces “Out of the Box” features interior fittings made from recycled and reused brewery waste materials, maximizing sustainability and cost efficiency. Ceyline also has already applied for CEB approval to install solar power for the facility to ensure its operation is powered by clean and green energy.
Lion Brewery will further its mission for an efficient and eco-friendly supply chain by incorporating elements such as electric forklifts, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient lighting.
This collaboration not only delivers a pioneering green logistics facility but also sets a new benchmark for sustainable warehousing in Sri Lanka. It showcases the power of collaborative innovation in driving responsible industrial development.
Kaveen Gayathma, Senior Vice President (Outbound Logistics) of Lion Brewery, added, “This project further strengthens our distinctive ‘route-to-market’ approach. Our collective efforts in conceptualizing,
drafting, and crafting have culminated in the creation of a truly one-of-a-kind model. The company’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability is clearly demonstrated here, all while achieving our strategic objectives in a practical and cost-effective manner.”
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