150 international companies to be recognised
The Global Commerce Excellence Awards 2012, under the guidance and leadership of the Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal, will be held for the second time on 13 December at the newly-refurbished Ceylon Continental Hotel.
This unique awards ceremony which was held for the first time in 2011 had a unique theme too, where Sri Lankan large corporates, chambers, government institutions and individuals were recognised for their contribution to the national economy during the period 1985-2009, when terrorism was trying to destabilise the economy and bring down Sri Lanka. It was the risks and challenges taken by the Sri Lankan business community that withstood the threat and moved the country forward with difficulty.
However, last year the organisers could not accommodate international business partners that continued to help and believed in the Sri Lankan economy due to the fact that the numbers were too large. It was mentioned by the Governor in 2011 that the organisers would follow up with a ceremony in 2012 to honour Sri Lanka’s international business partners who supported the global commerce activities of the country.
With the leadership of the Governor’s office and the Central Bank, other organisations of the Government, including Airport Aviation Services Sri Lanka, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka Ports Authority, along with the Shippers’ Academy Colombo, representing the private sector, have organised the event this year.
The awards will be presented to companies who have invested or serviced the economy during the period 1985-2009. Various companies including foreign chambers representing the following sectors have been nominated by relevant intuitions and associations; they include investment, manufacturing, export, aviation, shipping, banks, tourism, telecommunication and logistic services.
The Global Commerce Excellence Awards will be the first of its kind to honour international companies and chambers that were present in Sri Lanka before the war ended in 2009 and helped to create jobs and economic activity against all odds during the terror period of the LTTE. It is informed that a large number of foreign participants are expected to be in Colombo to receive the awards which is to be a great be symbolic gesture by the Central Bank and its partners.
The grand occasion will be graced by the Central Bank Governor along with top Central Bank officials and other Government institution heads and industry and business personalities along with the diplomatic community.